Cebu’s finest by Cebu’s best

The only true and real news stories nowadays are on the sports pages.  All else are half-truths and half-lies.  Do you really believe that the powers-that-be occupying a palace by a murky river are really having sleepless nights over what’s happening in the country?

Now on its 33rd year, the Sportswriters Association of Cebu, with the generous support of San Miguel Corporation, will honor Cebuano and Cebu-based athletes who did the city and province proud in their domestic and international athletic campaigns.  The event will be at the Ayala Malls Activity Center on Tuesday, March 31, from 3 to 6 in the afternoon.

From archery to chess to swimming to motocross to dance sports and every sporting discipline in between, these individuals, groups and benefactors will be feted accordingly by sportswriters who followed their roads to glory and benevolence.

Not everyone can be at a playing venue but for sportswriters, especially those covering specific beats, they deliver door-to-door to us the games.  Neither the blazing sun nor rain, nor storm nor gloom of night can deter them from covering these events just to let the public know and at least be aware of what’s happening in the wide world of sports.  And have I mentioned the worsening traffic?

For the love of what they’re doing, who cares about the inconvenience and hassle that comes with the job description.  And yes, they are not after the compensation because had they’ve been, publications won’t be carrying sports sections.

Selection and deliberation on who are the most deserving athletes is a long and tedious process.  Nominees have to excel either in the local, national or international level.  Cebu has an abundance of these talents and over several lunch meetings and multiple cups of coffee, the group comes up with a short list.  Verifying their feats, the list is further trimmed and then the outstanding athletes are then decided by the sportswriters.  Yes, coffee because these guys need to be fit and at least be nearly at par with their subjects.

To state the obvious, these select group of deadline beaters All Write stories that mentally transport the readers to actual games.  They do their darn best to give us Fair Play even though sometimes we’re just at the stands doin’ some Bleacher Talk and a bit of Sports Gab.

On assignment, these writers have a keen Sports Eye, never missing anything from Match Point to Full Point and up to the Last Round.  They chase athletes and their achievements and through their efforts make Every Pound Counts.

In the fast-paced disciplines of racing, there are a sprinkling of foreigners shouting and egging racers “Allez!” when they zip by on their bicycles.  Running gets a dose of Marathon Foodie, but wait a minute, Taym Pa, murag Pasbrek Ni.

Of course, table sports are also covered by writers that those favouring the brain games are called Chessmoso.  But who cares what they’re called.  They do their thing just to let you Feel the Game.

This coming Tuesday will be your chance to meet and greet your real and true Cebuano sporting heroes in the flesh.  Be it Donnie Nietes with his pet snake or the two gentle giants also known as June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter.  Yes, Nietes won’t agree to have his picture taken unless you will be wrapping your neck with his snake.