Appeal for shoes

A lot of people think that to make a difference in sports, you either must be a top athlete or a very rich sports patron. Through the years that I have been involved in sports as an athlete, coach, parent, official, writer, and in many other roles, I met many people, who have given so much to sport without being of the two mentioned above.

I realized that the most important thing that you must have in order to make a difference is the desire to do so. In our own little way we can help make things happen.

The other night, I received email from one of the very dedicated football coaches that I know. Francis Ramirez, who is also known as coach Francis to his players and students and Itom to us the more mature set, asked me to help air their appeal for shoes.

Francis’ team from Abellana National School made it to the national finals of the Milo Little Olympics set next month in Cagayan de Oro City, but they lack one key piece of equipment for the mission – soccer shoes.

Here is his email:

 Nimrod,

We badly need 16 pairs of soccer shoes for the Abellana National School Football Team in preparation for the coming 2nd Milo Little Olympics National Finals slated this coming October 15-17, 2010 at the Gregorio Pelaez Sports Complex in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental. We are going to defend our championship crown in the Secondary level that we won last year’s National finals. 

We are also going to use the soccer shoes during the 20th Cebu City Olympics slated to start this coming October 1,2,3,9 & 10, 2010, the 3rd Pintaflores National Invitational U-16 Football Tournament from October 24 - 30 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and hopefully in CVRAA 2010 on Nov. 7 - 14, 2010 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.  As part of our preparation for the National Finals, we are playing in the on-going 13th Aboitiz Football Cup and also defending the championship crown in the Boys 17 Division for the 4th consecutive years.

All of our players cannot afford and our school also has no budget to buy new soccer shoes and are only depending on ukay-ukay soccer shoes that last only for a few weeks which is now rarely available in 2nd hand shoe store. The players right now are using borrowed shoes from friend and some players are using shoes that are wrapped with tapes or string. The cheapest brand new soccer shoes available now cost 2000 plus depending on the brand of the soccer shoes.

We would like to ask your support in the realization of acquiring this soccer in order to give more honor to Cebu.

Thank you and more power to you and your family.

Yours truly,

Francis Ramirez 

Head Coach  

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I asked Francis if I can write about this and he said yes, which is the reason I reprinted his email hoping that we have kind hearts that would be willing to support the team.

Maybe the alumni association of Abellana National School can help or maybe players from the better schools, who have outgrown their shoes, can donate them.

Those who are willing to help can contact me or send email to [email protected].

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MILESTONES: Advance birthday greetings go to several of my friends turning a year older tomorrow. The September 3 celebrants are GMA-7’s Lalaine Go-Singco, Gordon ‘Dondi’ Joseph, Atty. Judge Edison Remetio, Arabelle Abellana-Villa, Stella Palomo Monteño, and Jerry Sun.

More power to all of you! — THE FREEMAN