Uniting for positive gains

Before goals are achieved, there are aims to be targeted, preparations to be made. Getting them done depends on how well we are ready for battle and sustain it. Logistics, from personnel to equipments to funding and everything else in between are factors to be seriously considered.

Granting the above stated are sufficiently addressed, there is the question of the willingness and the cooperation of the parties concerned. If these do not come into play, better forget of waging war as the only thing you will be waving in the end is the white flag of surrender.

Speaking from actual experience and partial involvement, the GUV Cup Volleyball Tournament is one shining example of aiming, preparing and achieving. Another is the 5th Congressional District’s Inter-Town 18-Under Basketball Tournament.

Both tournaments aimed to find talents and for several years since its inception, had given favorable results. Boys and girls who displayed exceptional abilities were discovered and offered academic scholarships by different colleges and universities.

Prior to the Palarong Pambansa, there are qualifying school-based meets, in descending order, the PRISAA, the Regional Meet, the Provincial Meet and the District Meet. These tournaments select well-performing athletes and talents from the municipal level up to the national level.

Partly involved for the very first time in Liloan’s District Sports and Cultural Competition, it was very pleasant and encouraging to note the cooperation and support between the 11 public and private high schools in the municipality. Invited ranking officials from the Region’s Department of Education also made glowing remarks on the collective efforts of the different school heads.

From table games to gymnastics to track events to ball games, these were all condensed, played and completed in three days. Why? This was the practice ever since to accommodate the school calendar. The number of athletes having cramps was almost directly proportional to the scores as a result. Who wouldn’t? You play one game in the morning, another in the afternoon, and if your team wins both, another two games await the next day.

Having played the game during my elementary and high school days a very, very long time ago, I was also happy to know of two high schools, aside from Don Bosco – Liloan, having football teams. Both were newly formed, ergo, most on the teams are raw and it shows in their games, specially that it was the first time they played 11-a-side.   But they do have coaches with legitimate football credentials. Given ample time and the right training, it won’t be long for Liloan to be a football hotbed.

I gathered from Bro. Mari, SDB, that one of our locality’s private schools does a football clinic for their graders on Sunday mornings. He brought up the idea of schools inviting coaches and trainers to do football instructionals, yes, using their field as venue. Depending on parents’ financial capacity, maybe 20 or 30 pesos per participant per 2-hour session could cover the coaches’ fee.

If you haven’t been to DB Liloan’s football field, I guarantee you their pitch is really good. Proof to that are some football clubs from the city going there to play on weekends. It has been a long while since I had kicked some balls (not those hanging between the legs) and I would like to know and see if I still have “it”. When? Abangan.

There was the cultural competition where traditional Filipino songs and dances were showcased. Winners, like in the sporting events, will carry the Municipality’s colors in the Provincial Meet scheduled sometime later next month. The young lady from La Consolacion College bested 10 other pretty ladies as the event’s Festival Queen and will likewise be the town’s bet in October’s festival queen search. Ahak oy, it made me ask myself where were these girls when I was their age. Oops, sorry, Ma.

It was agreed among the schools that the volleyball and basketball events for boys and girls will be continued on weekends, making it a CESAFI-type league, purposely making it as a venue for the selection of the pool of talents for future tournaments. Next on the radar will be football. Considering the limited resources available, people behind this endeavor will gratefully welcome sponsors and donors to ensure success. Don’t worry, your contributions will be duly acknowledged. Since it’s loosely based on the city’s school-based league, the plan is to have it on a yearly basis. If you or your firm wishes to help, please do get in touch thru the email below.

The battle has been started, cooperation and support manifested. Yes, there is truth to the saying “In union there is strength”. No, it’s not “sa sibuyas naay mo gahi”.

E-mail me at [email protected].