Cebu Sports Commission boosts grassroots sports programs

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu provincial government is strengthening its grassroots sports development program as part of its long-term goal of forming a full provincial delegation for future national sporting events, including the Palarong Pambansa.

This, as the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission (CPSC) formally launched its Summer Grassroots Training Program in the southern town of San Fernando and the northern municipality of Consolacion, marking the start of a 10-day training camp aimed at discovering and developing young athletes across the province.

In an interview, CPSC Executive Director Rodrigo Tanza said the province is reviving its sports development initiatives after years of inactivity.

“Actually, kana man gyud sports (Commission) dugay na wala nabalik, almost seven years.

Pag-assume ni Gov last July, mao gyud to among gihisgutan nga i-reborn ang Provincial Sports Commission,” Tanza said.

He said one of the first major activities under the revived commission is the ongoing Capitol Sports Fest for Capitol employees, alongside the rollout of grassroots sports programs in different municipalities.

He said the grassroots initiative officially started in San Fernando and Consolacion and will continue in other towns in partnership with local government units, the Department of Education, and Sangguniang Kabataan officials.

The program caters to children aged 8 to 15 and initially offers free coaching in basketball, volleyball, arnis, and boxing depending on the identified strengths of participating municipalities.

Aside from free training sessions, the provincial government also distributed sports equipment, such as arnis sticks, orange cones, volleyballs, and volleyball nets.

Tanza said the province is tailoring sports development based on the available coaches and existing sports culture in every municipality.

“Ang uban municipalities among tan-awon unsay angay i-develop kay lisod pud kaayo kung walay coaches sa lugar ug walay development,” he said.

In San Fernando, arnis was added as one of the focus sports, while boxing was introduced in Consolacion.

Citing the Cebu Province official website, San Fernando Mayor Mytha Ann Canoy, meanwhile, encouraged participants to value not only athletic training but also the life lessons that come with sports.

“Kini usa ka programa nga moandam ninyo sa tinuod nga duwa—mao ang kinabuhi,” Canoy said.

In Consolacion, Mayor Teresa Pepito-Alegado thanked the provincial government for bringing the program to their municipality, saying it would help further develop and capacitate young athletes.

Tanza said the province intends to sustain the grassroots sports program as a continuing initiative rather than a one-time summer activity.

“Padayon na siya—continuous nata ana,” he said.

He added that the province also plans to hold tournaments for participating children to assess which athletes have the potential to compete at higher levels.

“Diha nato makita kung kinsay atong i-develop,” Tanza said.

According to him, the long-term goal is for Cebu Province to eventually field a complete provincial delegation in future editions of Larong Pinoy and the Palarong Pambansa.

“Katong last Larong Pinoy, wala man gyud tay pure delegation gikan sa province. Mao nang diha ta mangita ug athletes aron puhon makakompleto nata ug delegation sa province,” he said.

The executive director also said the provincial government hopes universities may eventually scout promising athletes from the grassroots program and offer scholarship opportunities.

“Mutan-aw pud ta basin naay universities nga magpa-scholar sa mga bata,” he added.

Training sessions officially began on May 12 and are scheduled to run until May 22. — Ashley Chad Jopia, CTU-Tuburan Intern (FREEMAN)