INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines—Foreign athletes need special work permits before they can play in any sports tournaments in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration and the Games and Amusement Board said Friday.

BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan and GAB chairman Eric Buhain signed a memorandum of agreement that provides that "no foreign professional athlete or player shall participate in any form of professional tournaments and sports competition in the country unless and until he or she obtains the required special work permit from the bureau and professional license from the GAB."

The GAB is the agency that regulates and supervises all professional sports and games in the country.

If a foreign athlete claims Philippine citizenship, he or she needs to present a citizenship certificate duly affirmed by the secretary of the Department of Justice.

BI Technical Staff chief Manuel Ferdinand Arbas said all foreign athletes are covered by the MOA, including those who play in the Philippine Basketball Association.

The application for a special work permit must be made within 24 hours from arrival in the country or the next working day if the athlete arrives on a weekend.