CEBU, Philippines - Through the years, the Milo Little Olympics is not only about sports. It is also about touching lives and inspiring people most especially those who are in dire need of help.
This year's 5th National Finals of the longest-running developmental sports competition in the country is no different and it is so timely that it will be held in the region rattled by a powerful earthquake and battered by a destructive super typhoon only three weeks apart from each other.
Hard as it may seem, life must go on according to Milo Sports Executive Andrew Neri and for him, the Milo Little Olympics is a perfect avenue for the Visayan folks to show to everyone how resilient the Filipinos in the face of adversity.
"This has been the most difficult year for the people of the Visayas with the earthquake and super typhoon that hit the region," said Neri in a press conference yesterday at Sarrosa International Hotel.
"In these trying times, the Milo Little Olympics is the best opportunity to uplift the spirits of our young athletes. Our message really is to give hope to the athletes who are our nation's leaders of tomorrow. We will give hope to our little champions that they may fulfill their dreams in the future," he added.
The event was originally scheduled last October 25-27 but the organizers hastily moved it to a later date for safety reasons after Bohol and Cebu was struck a 7.2 magnitude temblor.
"It was a big decision, but an easy decision because it has been our long-standing policy to never put the athletes to harm's way. The safety of all the participants is of paramount importance to us," said Neri.
Then came Yolanda, one of the strongest storms to have ever hit the planet that claimed over 5,000 lives, displaced four million families, and destroyed nearly P15 billion in properties in Leyte, Samar and northern Cebu.
"It's difficult but life goes and this is a first step to show how resilient the Filipinos are particularly the people here in Visayas," said Neri. "We will try our best to make this event a wondeful experience for all the participants and hopefully unease the pain and suffering they have gone through during the past few days."
As their own little way of helping those who are still grieving and now rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the twin catastrophe, Neri said they will be putting up donation boxes at the tournament venues.
For his part, Team Visayas delegation head Ricky Ballesteros said their thoughts and prayers are to the families who were badly affected by Yolanda and that they are dedicating their fight in the three-day joust to all "Bisdaks" out there.
"We dedicate this fight to the people of Visayas. We're down but our spirits are high," said Ballesteros while expressing confidence that Team Visayas will regain the throne taken away from them by the National Capital Region (NCR) last year.
With regards to the opening ceremony this afternoon at the Cebu City Sports Center, Ballesteros said they have toned down the celebration to show their sympathy to the victims of the calamity, but still the spectators can expect something new and beautiful in the grandiose show that is expected to last for two hours.
"The opening will be short but elegant. We still have the element of surprise but there will be no more fireworks because we have to be sensitive with what happened to our neighbors," said Ballesteros.
True enough, the Nestle Philippines-bankrolled Milo Little Olympics has go beyond its range. And for that, it will surely earn the respect and adulation of many for being a sporting event with a heart who cares. (FREEMAN)