Letting the kids play

Maybe those running amateur sports competitions, especially involving schools, need to be reminded about a few basics.

In the heat of competition, parties should keep in mind that obeying rules and following the rule of law are essential in developing good sportsmanship.

That will be tested in the current controversy over the exclusion of a 15-year-old player of the University of San Carlos’ Baby Warriors from the junior league games of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi).

Cesafi’s contribution to a vibrant athletic life in Cebu’s private schools is undoubted.

But trustees and organizers should be extra careful now in showing how they deal with an adverse decision handed by a court of law.

The arena is not longer just a basketball court under the control of referees and elders.

It’s alarming then to see how Cesafi officials defied a temporary restraining order served in the Cebu Colisum last Wednesday in full view of young athletes and spectators.

The language of the order couldn’t have been clearer: “Allow Scott Aying to play beginning today in the games of the 13th Cesafi Season.”

What happened, however, was a deft dodge and legal hair-splitting over the TRO issued by Judge Simeon Dumdum of the Regional Trial Court Branch 7 .

By cancelling the game, there was technically no game for Aying to play in.

Would that now be considered a violation of the court order?

It would have been more circumspect to let the game continue, let the student play and proceed with the scheduled Sept. 26 hearing on the petition of the Aying parents who are seeking a permament injunction.

What is 20 days to resolve the issue of the disqualification of the student athlete?

By cancelling all junior league games until further notice, the controversy has now widened in scope and injured feelings.

We worry that the Cesafi controversy, if not handled well, will be a high-profile example of grownups choosing which rules they want to follow and how to make palusot.