Going beyond champions in sports
Manila, Philippines - The latest census data places the youth sector as the biggest demographic in the Philippines, with under-18-year-olds comprising almost 40 percent of the population. Youth-centric programs, such as organized sports, have become increasingly important, especially since children nowadays have as much as nine hours less free time compared with 25 years ago.
Numerous studies have shown that early involvement in sports not only has a positive impact on physical and mental health, sports also enhance cognitive function, memory, concentration, behavior, and academic achievement. Up to 24 percent of the difference in academic achievement can be attributed to participation in a physical activity. Optimizing the benefits of early participation in sports lies in the organizer of the sports program. The environment, athletic curriculum, and athletic program are other key determinants as to how sports involvement can affect a child.
Milo has long been an advocate in involving children in sports at an early age, as well as in discovering and developing local talent. Its organized sports activities have proven to be positive environments where children gain confidence, practice teamwork, and imbibe values that stay with them for life.
Women’s National Collegiate Athletic Association (WNCAA) gold medalist MVP and Milo ambassador Princess Gaiser is a primary example of how sports positively affect every other aspect of life. Gaiser has been involved in sports since Grade 3 and has earned gold medals at the Palarong NCR and the WNCAA , even bagging the Most Valuable Player award for the latter. But it’s the values that she has learned that keep the young champ grounded.
“Learning values like discipline and perseverance through volleyball at an early age has helped me deal with the pressure of having others look up to me as an inspiration. In fact, my experiences in sports and as a Milo ambassador push me ever forward to attain greater heights,” says Princess.
Although active with her stint as a Milo ambassador, at the Milo sports clinics, and at the Milo Little Olympics, she has also gained the respect of peers and mentors as she balances her sports activities with her school responsibilities at St. Scholastica’s College. The recent high school graduate will be going to the University of the Philippines and will be taking up Sports Science on a full scholarship. She hopes to inspire more kids into getting into sports because she has become a better person, adding, “I’ve learned the discipline of balancing my studies and extra-curricular activities. Although winning is the ultimate goal, winning is not everything. Losing also motivates me to improve and to persevere even harder.”
Milo’s sports activities are the ideal venues for children to learn about sports and its values in a safe and positive environment, while at the same time enjoying the experience. For more information visit www.milo.com.ph or call 353-5090/966-333 or 09175899880.
