Whalley Little League player gets special permit to join team at World Series

WHALLEY (NEWS 1130) – A 13-year-old who thought he wasn’t going to be able to play at the Little League World Series has been given a special permit by the government so he can travel to Pennsylvania and join his team.

Dio Gama and his family are trying to obtain refugee status in Canada, which is why an immigration lawyer advised the family against travelling to the U.S. so Dio could play with his team, noting Dio might not be allowed back into the country.

“I told my son the truth, you know, that I received a notice from the lawyer,” said Noe Gama, Dio’s dad.

So when the team found out the Whalley Major Allstars had made it to the World Series, not everyone reacted the same.

“While everybody was crying because they were happy and everybody was thinking ‘I’m driving to Williamsport,’ he was crying because he said ‘I’m driving home,'” Neo Gama said.

But that’s when the Federal Immigration Department issued Dio a temporary resident permit so he could join his teammates.

“I started jumping around, I couldn’t imagine going back to my team and seeing them,” said Dio.

His teammates were equally happy with the news:

“This opportunity could help me find a better university you know, get a better scholarship,” he said.

Although he’s missed the opening ceremonies, he will get to Pennsylvania just in time to play the team’s first game against Panama.

 

-With files from Greg Harper, CityNews

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