Raya Sports stood firm Wednesday on its belief that a permit from the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) was unnecessary when the outfit merely helped run the technical aspect of the just-concluded Philippine Pool Tour Mandaluyong Mayor?s Cup 10-Ball Championship.

In an email sent to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Raya Sports managing director JP Fenix said the role of Raya Sports in the tournament was mainly to provide support services in event management and it did not defy any law when the company failed to secure a GAB permit.

?This does not make us the promoter, otherwise, following your reporter?s logic, all companies who supplied trussing, lighting fixtures, tarpaulin banners, TV production and even janitorial services in the recent Cup all would have had to secure GAB permits,? said Fenix in reaction to a story published Wednesday.

GAB chairman Eric Buhain, however, maintained that running the technical aspect of a money event in sports did not exempt a party from the jurisdiction of the government regulatory agency.

?Look at the PBA [Philippine Basketball Association]. Even the ball boys and masseurs get their licenses from the GAB,? said Buhain. ?It?s that simple.?

Fenix also said Raya Sports ?is a licensed promoter and has secured permits from GAB for its events.?

?Not yet, as of today,? said Buhain. ?He was probably talking about last year. But that permit expired after Dec. 31, 2007. That?s why I?m asking them to get [a license].?