Filipino billiards king Efren "Bata" Reyes has had it with the alleged anomalies within the leadership of the Billiards Snookers Congress of the Philippines (BSCP).
"We billiards players belonging to the Billiards Managers Professional Players Association of the Philippines (BMP) are firm and unanimous in our stand not to join in any competition organized by the BSCP because the BSCP leadership is incompetent and bent only on serving their self-interests at our expense," stated Reyes, more popularly known as "The Magician".
Several other professional billiards players joined Reyes and came out with a manifesto condemning the corruption within the BSCP administration, citing in particular the diversion of multi-million pesos from the government to Raya's Sports which they claim is the personal and private business owned by one of the BSCP officials.
"We are demanding an explanation from Mr. Makabenta as to where the multi-million peso fund from the government which was diverted to Raya's Sports, a private firm owned by Makabenta, is now and why he should not be charged with graft and corruption and malversation of public funds," the players stated in their manifesto.
It was pointed out that there is a "conflict of interest" because Raya's Sports is owned by Yen Makabenta who is currently the chairman of the BSCP. The said firm is allegedly receiving millions of pesos from the association's funds.
"Malacanang should take note that the funds it has been giving the association have not benefitted the association and the players as President Arroyo might have thought but has served only the interest of Makbenta's private enterpreise," the players said.
The professional cue masters also bewailed the injustice being done to the association which resulted in misrepresentation of the players in international competitions. They also complain of the "lack of integrity" in the screening process being undertaken by the BSCP in choosing the country's representatives in competitions here and abroad.
"We are calling on the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) to help us come up with a clean and fair process in the selection of athletes who are qualified and worthy to represent the country in international competitions," added the cuemasters.
File photo courtesy of Diana Hoppe - Pool Pics by Hoppe
