Ohio bash an eye-opener for Team Cebu

The participation of Team Cebu City in the just-concluded International Children’s Games was a learning experience not only in the competition side but in the organizational aspect as well.

Jonathan Guardo, chairman of the Cebu City Sports Commission who headed the delegation, said the Ohio joust served as perfect venue to get fresh ideas and be apprised of new technologies that Cebu could be used when it plays provincial host to the SoutheastAsian Games next year.

"We’re proud to have joined the Children’s Games for the first time. We have learned a lot from the trip.

It has given us fresh concept in hosting a successful event," said Guardo.

Cebu City will host at least six events in the 2005 SEA Games, namely Dancesport, Sepak Takraw, Karate, Judo, Chess and Pencak Silat.

The ICG stint also exposed the Cebuano athletes and officials to the kind of training program other countries are doing for their budding athletes.

Chinese-Taipei, Singapore and South Korea led the Asian onslaught in swimming, China asserted its supremacy in table tennis while the United States dominated gymnastics and athletics. Puerto Rico won the basketball gold.

Team Cebu City’s best showing was courtesy of Jin Querubin who managed a quarterfinals finish in the girl’s lawn tennis after beating two opponents.

Jonathan Jacalan reached the round of 16 in boys’ table tennis.

With Guardo in the delegation were councilor Jack Jakosalem, chairman of the City Council’s Committee on Games, Amusements and Professional Sports, CCSC commissioner Rolly Diorico and executive director Allan Torrevillas.