We have just completed a futsal tournament, the first phase of the Foundation Universtiy year-round football program, and will start the seven-a-side football competition to mark the second phase on July 16. Despite Dick Emperado’s call for a boycott by officiating officials, coaches, and players of the futsal tournament, 47 teams joined and the women’s champion was SU, beating FU which participated in the PNC and got 4th place. With the opening of the seven-a-side competition, we hope Dick will not resort again to an unproductive campaign. Should he persist in advising a boycott, we are not fazed because we have been assured by those who participated in the futsal that they will continue to take part in our program. In a show of goodwill, we will invite Dick to the opening of the seven-a-side to give the inspirational message, and Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria to the awarding ceremonies.”
That was a text message I sent to a NORFA official last week. FU had updated its membership in NORFA on June 6, 2011, paying its annual fee and arrears. As an official member of NORFA, and as head of FU’s sports program, I feel obliged to speak on behalf of FU and other local football associations who share our concern for what we perceive to be inadequacies — and to be more candid and precise, lack of transparency — in the management of NORFA.
NORFA Secretary-General Dodo Bustamante informed me that he registered NORFA at the Securities and Exchange Commission in Cebu prior to the elections in 2006 where Dick Bustamante, a balikbayan, was elected president. Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria was elected vice-president.
I was in that meeting with the FU dean of students then, and noting that the NORFA By-Laws require that those who run for the election must be present, we left before the actual conduct of the election.
I presume that based on its Constitution and By-Laws, NORFA was organized to promote football in Negros Oriental. This is a standard provision in the Charter of all sports associations.
In the fulfillment of this purpose, the officials have a duty and are accountable for charting the direction and “road map” to guide the members in achieving shared vision, mission, and objectives of the program that will be pursued.
The task of identifying and crafting these elements of a program is the responsibility of the elected officers in consultation with the members through open and democratic processes. Holding of regular meetings and consultations with members and key stakeholders is the desired practice.
Here are my personal observations that I find lacking in the management of NORFA since the year 2005 when I moved to Dumaguete from Manila: a) no regular meetings held attended by members; b) no written-down vision, mission, objectives and goals; c) no consistent, sustained and regular program of activities; d) members’ unfamiliarity with members of the Board, their involvement and personal contribution to the development of football; and e) no annual reports containing accomplishments, and most of all, no financial reports. Financial reports reflect the priorities, programs, projects and accomplishments of the Board.
In short, there appears to be a lack of transparency in the management of NORFA, and because of the substantial absence of information shared with its members and the public, support for the Association remains inadequate.
Transparency in governance breeds trust and confidence, and the much-needed support for the Association’s survival.
I surmise the reason why Emperado called for a boycott of the futsal competition was the refusal of FU to allow five of its players to participate in the Suzuki Cup eliminations held in Dumaguete this summer.
FU has a standing policy, similar to those in the UAAP and NCAA and other collegiate leagues, that prohibits its athletes to play for other teams while they are with the University.
I believe that although NORFA exercises overall authority on football matters in the University Town, it is not exempted from seeking permission from the clubs or the Universities that provide for the upkeep, training and education of the players.
As members of NORFA, FU only wants cooperation, and not domination by anyone, in the conduct of the activities to achieve shared goals and objectives. We cherish, nurture, advocate, and demand of those in a position of educating the young, that the values inherent in the practice of sports — sportsmanship and fair play, equal playing field, respect for everyone — are perennial and should be observed.
Officials of NORFA must realize they have an obligation and a responsibility to carry out their functions and duties as prescribed in the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association. No one can feel free to escape accountability. It’s sure as taxes and death.
We look forward to NORFA president Dick Emperado delivering the inspirational message during the opening ceremonies of the IYSPeace 4th 7-a-Side football tournament on July 16. The public is invited to watch the games at the FU football grounds.
Quo vadis? Whither goest thou? Where are you headed for?
