Cebu ICG delegates depart for England today

Cebuanos joining the International Children's Games (ICG) are leaving in high spirits this afternoon for Couventry, England even as chairman Jonathan Guardo of the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) sent his good wishes to the group.

The ICG will kick off July 6-11.

"Good luck on your trip and Julius. Let's just forget what happened. We have so many trips in the future and I hope could join together," said Guardo's text message to Jess Lagman, one of the parents of the athletes who will be joining the group.

Aside from Jess and Julius Lagman, joining the team are swimmers John Sebastian and Patricia Solon and table tennis player Sherry Lynn Gantuangco.

Coaching the swimmers is Benjoe Jimenez while Buddy Solon, the father of the swimmers, will take care of Gantuangco after table tennis coach Jiji Jawad-Honoridez backed out due to some personal reasons.

Jess will be coaching his son Julius in lawn tennis.

But Guardo, in a separate interview, said the CCSC will not be answerable to whatever will happen to the team.

"The commission has always been supportive with foreign travel but I hope next time they will not bypass us (CCSC)," said Guardo, who earlier made a threat to file charges and ban from Team Cebu City any member who will join the ICG.

For his part, Buddy Solon, the leader of the group, is willing to leave the painful experiences behind.

"Wa pa gani mi kaabot didto, mura na mig nag compete na. You know what we've been through. Mura mig niaadtog gubat. But, look at us, the organizers still accepted us, so we're going, " said Solon.

Aside from the organizing body in England, the group also has the support of the Philippine Sports Commission chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.

In the meantime, Guardo said the CCSC is planning for Team Cebu City's stint in the ICG in Thailand, the International Dancesport in US and another international event in Hawaii, which was personally endorsed by Antonio "Bidoy" Aldeguer. - Caecent No-ot and Sona Mae Povadora