Let me congratulate the awesome job of the men behind two Kadayawan sporting events held recently in Davao City.
First, to the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) Davao Region for putting up what is probably the most exciting Kadayawan basketball tournament in years. With a very deep cast composed of the country’s top collegiate squads, the tournament assembled bitter rivals Dela Salle University and Ateneo, Adamson University, San Beda, College of St. Benilde and local bet Jose Maria College.
Kudos is in order for SBP regional chief and basketball patron Glenn Escandor and the rest of the SBP officers Atty. Francis Calatrava, Ronel Leuterio and Miggy Solitaria. Of course, the tournament won’t be possible without the solid backing of Rep. Pulong Duterte, Mayor Baste Duterte, and Pulong’s son Rigo.
The Green Archers of La Salle went on to capture the title over the Blue Eagles in a classic finale that left Davao’s basketball-crazy mob still talking about the tournament to this day.
The other sports event that also made its mark is the Durian Tee golf tournament organized by the Apo Golf and Country Club. The South’s longest-running golf tournament returned for its 31st edition after three years of being mothballed due to the pandemic.
I doff my hat to Apo Golf officials led by its president Secretary Leo Abellera Magno and chairman Ed Herrera for a memorable tournament that cemented the status of the Durian Tee as the premier member-guest tournament in this side of the country.
Now moving over to the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, this football-crazy planet has just recognized the stature of women sports by giving it an unprecedented following.
Spain has by far advanced to the finals with the last finals slot a toss up between the Matildas of Australia and England.
It was in this World Cup that the Philippines also earned its place among the world’s elite scoring a win over the hosts and scoring its first World Cup goal in the process.
The women’s World Cup stars have also become great merchandise sellers as World Cup kits have sold like literal hotcakes.
That is entirely disappointing.
Nike and Adidas, the two biggest kit manufacturers in women’s football, have chosen to not make any goalkeeper jerseys available for sale for the women’s World Cup. When asked about the discrepancy, a Nike spokesperson was reported as saying the sportswear giant works with FIFA and the individual federations “to determine what assortment and particular player jerseys go on sale based on several factors, including demand in some markets”.
As a result, a petition highlighting the glaring issue, and demanding a “rethink” on the divisive decision, has garnered almost 40,000 signatures.
Already, the goalkeeper is the loneliest position in football. Goalkeepers can either be the game’s heroes or the goats (not greatest of all time, but the culprits in case of a loss).
In the face of a great disservice, we hope this beautiful game will rectify an injustice in time.
