THE two-year residency rule for student athletes in the Cesafi league is supposed to keep the games fair and square, and prevent “pirating” among private schools.
The rule states: “Any high school student of a Cesafi member school who transfers to another member school shall be required a minimum of two-year residence to qualify to play.”
“That rule is very important. We have to follow it. There will be chaos, if we don’t,” said league commissioner Felix Tiukinhuy Jr.
He explained that the two-year residency rule is meant to prevent one team from dominating the league, whose players come from Cebu private high schools and universities.
The two-year residency ruling is meant to level the playing field and discourage one player from transferring from one school to another.
Without the ruling, teams may lose their best players to schools that can afford to dangle lucrative offers to promising athletes.
Tiukinhuy said some private schools can give generous allowances and other benefits such as board and lodging for their athletes, which places other schools with lesser means at a disadvantage.
“We have to stand firm on this because violating this rule will destroy the school’s sports program,” Tiukinhuy said. /Calvin D.Cordova Editorial Assistant