Flag Football seeks official recognition from admin

IN A SMALL corner at the rather crowded UST field, a team is competing for space. Not to mention the more important objective of the Tiger University Seals, a flag football team composed of Thomasians, to be officially recognized by school authorities.

As things stand, the squad can’t carry UST’s name, a frustration for a group seeking acclaim for their alma mater.

Thus, explains why the team had to make do with the Tiger moniker.

“We cannot carry the name ‘UST’ because we are not an official sports club of the University,” club president Mel Calletor said.

Early last year, the Seals submitted all documentary requirements to the Student Organizations Coordinating Council (SOCC). But it was told to apply for recognition at the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA).

“'Yung pagpapa-recognize nila is more of the use of the venue and not really a program for football, kaya finorward namin sila sa IPEA,” said Allan Hernandez, the Office for Student Affairs staff in-charge for the local and university-wide organizations.

Hernandez believes that the “lack of facilities” was keeping the IPEA from recognizing the Seals.

The IPEA said it did not have the power to “baptize” the team. IPEA secretary Gilda Ma. Paz Kamus said training facilities were very limited, given the number of existing varsity teams and PE classes.

She added that since the flag football squad is an organization, the Office for Student Affairs (OSA) should provide the recognition.

But if only to promote the sport, the IPEA accommodated the Seals for the IPEA Week, which will kick off on Jan. 27.

The Seals paraded two teams, the novice and the Seals composed of promising players who competed in the Beginner’s League last Dec. 17.

They applied for recognition for the first time two years ago, but missed the deadline set by the SOCC.

“Reluctant pa kasi yung mga players dati kung maga-apply, and by the time na nakapag-decide na sila magpa-recognize, hindi na sila umabot sa deadline,” Calletor said.

Flag football, a non-contact game resembling American football, was actually brought to the España grounds almost five years ago by then medical students Ryan Go and Andrei Hoscon.

Next move

Calletor acknowledged the primary concerns addressed by both parties.

“Suggestion ng SOCC, maging involved daw kami sa mga activities nila; tumulong daw kami sa mga projects, at ayun na lang siguro ang gagawin naming ngayon,” Calletor said.

He said the team would follow the suggestion before reapplying for recognition at the SOCC this summer. He said he would clarify everything with their adviser first.

“At the same time, magte-training pa rin kami whenever available ang field,” he said. “If ever ganito pa rin kami sa mga susunod na taon, ipagpapatuloy pa rin namin ang paglalaro."

Dilemma

Since the club is not officially recognized by any of UST’s authorities, the Seals spend for their own training and other needs.

“Nag-aambagan lang kami para sa lahat ng ginagastos para sateam,” Calletor said. “Madalas pa, pag wala kaming malaruan safield,nagbabayad kami ng malaki sa CCP para may mapaglaruan lang.” Jan Edward B. Ballesteros