Philippines’ Report Says Little League Faked Identities of at Least 5 Players
MANILA — Local Little League officials faked the identities of at least five players on the team that won the World Series last year, then was stripped of the title, a Senate committee said Tuesday.
In its report, the Committee on Youth and Sports said that officials had faked documents and used other means to hide the identities of players older than the regulation 12.
In the September championship game in Williamsport, Pa., a team supposedly from the southern city of Zamboanga beat a Long Beach team, 15-4.
But the title was revoked when it was learned that several players were from other parts of the Philippines, in violation of league rules. They included team captain Junifer Pinero, who played under the name of Allan Bitun.
The committee said that when a Manila television station went to Bitun’s school to check out allegations, the real Allan Bitun was hidden in a bathroom by teachers.
In its 64-page report, the committee said that Philippine sports officials should acknowledge wrongdoing and apologize.
“Let this unfortunate incident . . . serve as a lesson to all, particularly to our sports officials and leaders,†the committee said. “Let this be a reminder that deceit, dishonesty and misrepresentation shall never justify any victory.â€
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