When the young once play

One of the most interesting things about sports is that it’s a multi age activity. One can be as young as six years old and can be as “old” as 60 to play a sport. The Cebu sports scene these days is filled with a lot of activities for both extremes of the age sectors.

If you take a look at the sport of football, you can’t help but notice that aside from the age groups for development, i.e. the young ones, there are also age groups for the “young once.” It’s funny how the youth age groups use the term “under” in their brackets, such as Under 8, Under 10 and Under 12. This is true not only for football but all other sports as well: swimming, tennis, basketball, etc. However, when one reaches the age of 38, there’s no such thing as “under” anymore. It’s all about being “above.” Thus, the common age groups here are 35-above or 38-above, 40-above and 42-above. In these age groups, one doesn’t mind being “above” so he can play with his peers of the same age group.

But why do the young once still play? What is it about sports that keeps them going? For starters, there surely isn’t any prestigious championship to win out there in the sports market, is there? Moreover, the “above” age groups are supposed to be the time to slow down and ease away from heavy sports action. Right? Wrong!

The so-called “above” age groups have even picked up in pace with the numerous sports enthusiasts even spending time and resources to support their favorite sport. They spend money on expensive shoes, equipment, uniforms, sports clothes and tournament fees. In the running scene, all you have to do is join a fun run and see that over half of the runners are most likely over 35, maybe even 40 years old. And they’re running and at times beating the younger 20-year olds out there. This age group also happens to be the niche with a higher purchasing power, thus the show of “fashion” out on the streets. You’ll see the latest shoes, singlets, running shorts, compression shorts, headbands, caps and so much more. The brighter the color, the cooler. The sexier, the better.

In basketball, there are a host of ballclubs and basketball groups having tournaments for anywhere between 35 and 40-above. It’s like the boxing scene, composed of alphabet-laced organizations from A to Z. Ongoing these days is the Seniors’ Executive Cup 2011 which was reestablished by basketball friends of the young once category from different ballclubs. The games are like a replay of the many games and tournaments that they all played when younger. It’s also an opportunity to rub elbows with the idols of our age groups who made it big in the commercial and pro leagues. Playing in the league are the likes of PBA veterans Boy Cabahug, Al Solis, Montoy Singson, Lou Regidor and Larry Villanil. Then you have other former pro or commercial/collegiate league players like Cesar Ortega, Paul Maninang, Julius Gastador, Opel Cabaltera, Gilbert Demape, Abe Galinato and the Yu brothers Wilson and Wellington. Mix them up with competitive players like businessmen Chester Cokaliong, Benedict Chua, Bing Pua, Dave Lim, Emil Mercado, Joel Chan and Venci del Mar, you have a good mix of sportsmen reliving their glory days of the past. The irony of it all is that there really isn’t anything spectacular at stake. No cash. No fame. Just simple bragging rights. But to them, it’s all hard work for the game that they love.

When asked why they still play in tournaments like this, the common reply is “lingaw-lingaw lang gud.” Many also say it’s a good way to stay in shape. Playing in regular practice games will give them fun, but playing in an actual tournament pumps up their adrenalin and their competitive juices. The tournament pressure, atmosphere and chance to put on a uniform to play against other young once players of other ballclubs gets them really going, (and their BPs too). But it’s all in the name of fun.

A colleague once questioned why we support the “above” market and not put a focus on the real young ones. I simply told him that we will never neglect the grassroots, and they will always be our primary concern. But there’s another market out there that also wants to get competitive, but this time for the simple reason of having fun. Call them the senior citizens of sports. Just like the young ones, they, too also call for attention and care. So let the games begin and let the young once play.

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Time-out: Let’s all join hands and never stop praying for Japan and all those affected by the earthquake and tsunami. >> You can reach me at [email protected].