If the landscape has not changed, probably Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo would take some time to visit the tennis court and chat with players before proceeding to his City Council office.
For a former media man, that for sure is a habit you cannot easily shrug off because media men have and will always be a people person.
Probably, the majority of Dabawenyos can still recall that before they built that SP Building, there used to be a tennis club beside it. I used to watch fellow Dabawenyos in action all those years, especially after 5 p.m. when a lot of them start their matches. I had no idea then if it was a club tournament or an invitational competition, yet I was just there in the corner watching them.
I sought the statement of Councilor Ocampo because I know that he has definitely something to say after Alex Eala put the Philippines on the world tennis map by winning the 2022 US Open girl’s title.
On Tuesday’s SP session, Tek said, in a privilege speech, that Eala’s victory has “underscored the potential of Filipino athletes, young at that, that our athletes can also excel and triumph if fully supported”.
“I share the same belief with the country’s sports community, that our athletes, given the support that they need and the encouragement that they deserve, can conquer not just the national stage but the international arena as well. Let us start them young. Let us produce more Alex Ealas”.
I am glad that Councilor Tek has clearly not forgotten his roots as one of the original members of the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) then headed by manong Ferdie “Batman” Lintuan, whose sole purpose is to promote sports development.
Thank you Councilor Tek Ocampo for delivering that speech, to continually remind us that sports development is as basic as food, clothing, shelter and health care as advocated by two-time Philippine Sports Commission chairman and former Davao City sports chief William “Butch” Ramirez.
Then I remembered an amiable tennis lady named Carol Angel, who under the tennis leadership of Rommie Chan, and friends have been assisting in the organizing of the Dacudao Cup, that has been developing junior players in the city of Davao.
Ma’am Carol said that coach Boy Diong is in-charge of training at the Philippine Tennis Association (PTA) Davao training center that has produced, so far, four outstanding players that played abroad.
Will PTA Davao be able to produce an Alex Eala? That’s possible.
“As a lady tennister, and an avid supporter of youth tennis, I cannot hold back my tears hearing her say that with her victory is a desire to contribute to the development of tennis in the Philippines,” said ma’am Carol.
Alex Eala’s victory, I hope, will inspire legislators like Councilor Tek and tennis youth development advocates like Carol Angel, Rommie Chan and Boy Diong to one day produce a Dabawenya version of an Alex Eala.
It took Alex Eala five years to do that herstorical victory.
Can it be done?
I believe Dabawenyos can do that too if we all work together!
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