THE cancellation of the beach volleyball competition of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) could not have come at the worst timing.

This, after the beach volleyball competition was added to the roster of sporting events of the National Association of Higher Educational Institution (Nahei), which was formerly known as the Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa). Also added in the events this year is the boxing competition.

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The winners of the Cesafi competitions automatically become representatives of Cebu in the Nahei.

The other day, Cesafi commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy announced that the beach volleyball competition will be shelved to let the issues hounding the Cesafi volleyball competition die down first.

Three volleyball coaches were slapped with lifetime bans by the Cesafi for walking out of their semifinal matches in protest after Tiukinhoy allowed a player to compete despite being disqualified in the screening.

Nahei officer-in-charge, Ryan Aznar said canceling the beach volleyball competition is not an option at all.

Aznar, who is also the athletic director of Southwestern University said it was unfair for Tiukinhoy to suddenly announce that the event was cancelled when the teams have already prepared for it.

“The schools have paid for the entrance fees of the beach volleyball competition and most teams have also prepared.

If we will not hold the beach volleyball competition, who will represent Cebu in Nahei? Tiukinhoy?” Aznar said.

“We also need to note that our athletes should always have an avenue to compete because Cebu is the powerhouse in beach volleyball. In the Nestea Beach Volleyball alone, a national tournament, the winners all came from Cesafi. We have to maintain our superiority in this sport and the athletes’ regular exposure is very important,” said Aznar.

Last summer’s national finals of the premier beach volleyball competition was dominated by University of Southern Philippines Foundation and University of San Jose-Recoletos.

Tiukinhoy for his part said he was not informed that the event was added in the Nahei events.

“It was on my own when I said the event is canceled because I only wanted closure with the volleyball controversy before we hold another volleyball event. But I will surely bring this up to the board and they will decide on this,” said Tiukinhoy.