Ian Villegas (long jump), Princess Mamparo (chess), Rina Kawano (karatedo) and John Talite (taekwondo), Ron Mena (arnis), Dara Leopardas (swimming), Hannah Balangan (taekwondo), Jair Lynn Mangubat (taekwondo), Arjay Libosada (hurdles) are just a few of the many outstanding athletes who were recently recognized in the “Agila Awards” organized by the University Student-Athletes’ Organization of the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP).
Office of the Students Affairs and Services director Dr.Jose Alther M. Rivera, a former outstanding Davao City athlete in the 1990’s, has been instrumental in the holding of the awards with the strong support of university president Dr.Lourdes C. Generalao and VP-Academic Affairs Dr.Bonifacio G. Gabales Jr.
The “Agila Awards” made me curious after learning about it because we all know that being a student-athlete at a government-funded university is not a walk in the park. These students have first to conquer the academic challenges and then, second, train hard for sports competition. Third na ang mga love life noh? Or basi, wala na, for the meantime ba, LoL.
I am really impressed that the USeP has been able to produce outstanding athletes.
USeP is also into team sports like futsal, esports, dancesport, badminton, table tennis, lawn tennis and sepak takraw.
Preparation for individual sports, as you all know, is logistically better, compared to team sports and yet USeP has been able to develop its student-athletes in the team events.
Student-athletes have been a source of athletes for the Davao City contingent in the national games for many years. Asa man di ay mo hulam ug athletes ang City Hall? Kon dili sa mga schools. If not for the sports program that has been in place by the schools, Davao City could not have a good representation to the national championships.
So, salute to the school owners, president, sports directors, and their coaches for preparing their student-athletes for bigger competitions.
City Hall’s sports division does not feed the student-athletes, does not train them, does not even take care of them when they get injured. City Hall sports is a funding agency.
So, the major role in the development of the student-athlete is with the school officials.
Just imagine if the school athletes decided not to play for Davao City, can the City sanction them? City Hall cannot do anything.
That is why, it is important that strong relations and coordination should be ongoing between City Hall and school sports officials, with the assistance of course of the local National Sports Association (NSA) heads.
So that is important.
I also noticed that aside from the Agila Awards, Dr. Rivera and his team have also established a strong connection with university graduates by organizing tournaments for them with basketball, chess and volleyball as their games for this year.
This is another brilliant idea Dr.Rivera because the alumni association can be a source of help in the development of the student-athlete.
In sports development, funding is key. Lack of funds will mean that sports excellence can never be achieved.
So, my salute to the organizers of the Agila Awards!
I wish that you will grow bigger and create big waves in the sporting scene not just for the City of Davao but for our country.
Who knows, USeP athletes can be recruited to the national teams. O di ba, mas bongga?
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For comments, please email mpb_sports@yahoo.com.
