It is unfortunate that a protest was filed during the recent Regional Amateur Athletic Meet, particularly in the Special Needs Education (SNED) division, regarding a swimmer being allowed to change event after the competition had already started, despite the meet program being finalized and distributed to coaches, swimmers, and parents. Since my focus is on clarification and education, I will cite the relevant World Aquatics rules to provide a strong basis not only for my observations but also for those of other coaches and swimming enthusiasts.

This is similar to the protest we previously filed with the Division Office of Rizal during the last DepEd Rizal Provincial Meet.

Relevant World Aquatics Rules

1. World Aquatics Rule CR 3.1 (Authority of Officials):
   • Officials have the authority to enforce rules and make decisions during the competition. However, any decisions, including event changes, must be communicated transparently and promptly to all stakeholders.
2. World Aquatics Rule GR 5 (Competition Regulations):
   • Once the meet program is published, changes to events are generally prohibited unless there are exceptional circumstances (e.g., medical reasons or clerical errors). Any such changes must be approved by the Technical Committee and communicated to all teams.
3. World Aquatics Rule GR 9 (Protest and Appeals):
   • Teams have the right to file a protest if they believe a rule has been violated. The protest must be submitted in writing and within the specified timeframe, as outlined in the competition guidelines.

Suggestions & Recommendations for DepEd Officiating Officials:

1. Strict Adherence to Rules: The officials must ensure that all competition regulations are followed consistently to maintain fairness and transparency.
2. Proper Communication & Announcements: If any changes are necessary (even if under exceptional circumstances), all coaches and team representatives should be formally informed through an official announcement.
3. Transparency in Decision-Making: A documented process should be in place for handling such requests to prevent disputes and maintain trust in the officiating body.
4. Immediate Resolution of Protests: The protest committee should handle complaints swiftly and provide clear explanations backed by World Aquatics rules or DepEd Swimming Rules to avoid confusion.