POC to embassies: Beware of fake athletes

THE PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee has notified foreign embassies in the country to immediately inform it of people applying for visas and declaring they are part of a PH contingent bound for an international tournament.

POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. bared that cases of human smuggling have become rampant in sports, prompting the Olympic body to coordinate with embassies to check the backgrounds of visa applicants masquerading as national team members.

Cojuangco declined to go into details but cited a recent case in which 30 people, all of them claiming to be athletes, requested visas to “participate” in an overseas tournament.

Cojuangco said a quick check on the group’s list of athletes and officials revealed that only three were members of the national pool.

“Many people have been caught in this illegal activity,” he said. “They pose as athletes and disappear once they reach their destination.

“I wrote the embassies and consulates to say that before they issue visas, [they should] inform us immediately.”

Some years back, the Philippine Karatedo Federation was linked to illegal recruitment after several athletes and individuals reportedly failed to return from a tournament in Italy.

“I heard that these people paid up to P300,000, depending on the country of destination,” said Cojuangco. “It’s a profitable trade.”