“We won’t call it a boycott but we are discouraging our members from patronizing the arena until its management addresses our concerns,” said Jimmy Pascual, the federation president.
The federation earlier wrote to Calvo, to discuss a derby that the group wanted to hold at the arena.
Calvo had yet to reply, Pascual said.
There should be changes at the arena, he added.
Aside from their complaints against the referee, they also want management to expand and elevate the arena.
Last week, federation vice president Ruben Talens won a cockfight as decided by a referee but his victory was protested by his opponent.
Another player, Pascual said, was also disappointed with the decision of the referee but decided to “walk out” instead of lodging his protest “because nothing will happen as it takes forever for the Saipan Cockfight Board to resolve protests.”
The reason for these disputes, he added, is management’s failure to get a certified cockfight referee.
Moreover, Pascual said, the arena in As Gonno cannot accommodate a big derby event.
“They only have eight cock houses. Our federation has 30 groups and they cannot be accommodated there,” he added.
Regarding the federation’s proposal to hold a derby at the arena, Gener San Gabriel, the group’s treasurer, said he talked with Calvo about it, and she appeared to be hesitant.
Variety was unable to get a comment from Calvo.
Pascual said the federation will meet to discuss about this proposal and the possibility of holding the derby at the old arena in Gualo Rai instead.
