Pinatawan ng National chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP) ng kaparusahang ‘indefinite ban’ si John Ray Batucan ng Davao City -- tinanghal na seniors champion sa ginanap na 24th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Grand Finals – dahil sa masamang inasal laban sa mga opisyal.
Base sa inilabas na advisory ng NCFP at pirmado mismo ni Executive Director at GM Jayson Gonzales na petsang October 4, 2016, nakasaad na, “Please be informed that John Ray Batucan is banned indefinitely from participating in all NCFP-sanctioned events effective today, October 4, 2016.”
“This advisory is upon the recommendation of the Chief Arbiter of the 24th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championships Grand Finals for Mr. Batucan’s conduct unbecoming of a chess (champion) player that put the game into disrepute during the closing/awarding ceremony of the said event on October 2.”
Mula sa ikatlong puwesto nakaraang taon, nagawa ni Batucan na masungkit ang titulo sa pinakaunang binuo na kategorya na seniors division sa ika-24th Shell National Youth Active Championships grand finals na ginanap sa SM Megamall Events Center.
Nagtipon ang top-seed at Davao leg seniors champion sa nakalipas na dalawang taon ng kabuuang 7.5 puntos upang magwagi sa mga nakapagtipon lamang ng 7 puntos na sina Diego Abraham Caparino mula sa University of San Carlos at may 6 puntos na si Eliseo Budoso ng University of the East
Wala pang opisyal na pahayag si Batucan hingil sa naturang kalatas ng NCFP, habang wala ring pormal na pahayag ang pamunuan ng Shell hingil sa sinasabing pambabastos nito sa mga opisyal.
Samantala, nakatakdang isagawa ng NCFP ang kambal na torneo na 2016 Philippine International Chess Championships sa Disyembre 5-11 at PSC/PUREGOLD Chess Challenge sa Disyembre 13-18 sa Subic Freeport Zone sa Olongapo City.
(Angie Oredo)