For more than ten years now, former Senator and now Taguig Representative Pia Cayetano has been pushing her Pinay in Action Incorporated (PIA Inc.) advocacy in her belief that woman empowerment across the Philippines can be shown through sports.
PIA, with its theme “empowering girls one goal at a time,” has been to several cities and provinces in the country to introduce games such as football to the Filipino girls. In the process it has helped discover potentials in the field as a response to the call of the Philippine Sports Commission on encouraging grassroots programs in the country.
Cayetano said during the Kapehansa Apo View on Friday, PIA wants to bring sports even to those who cannot have immediate access to for the youth who are away from capital cities despite the children being very participative in sports here in the Philippines.
But even as football gained the fame it needed to attract fans and athletes in the country for the past few years, whether in the school or professional leagues, Cayetano believes that there is still the lack of recognition for its female players.
“I started doing boys’ and girls’ football a few years ago, but recently, I decided to make an effort for football and girls only,” said Cayetano. “The reason is that I can see how football has been moving forward in the country, but there aren’t that many games for girls.”
And since football isn’t height-sensitive like volleyball or basketball, Cayetano believes that more girls can engage in the sport.
“I want to give football a little push and gain more attention for girls,” said Cayetano, an athlete herself.
She added that youth being engaged in sports also “boosts” the confidence of young female athletes and prove that girls could also excel in the field of sports.
PIA, launched in 2006, continued to grow as it featured other sports and fitness events like all women’s triathlon and running camps.
