University of Mindanao president Guillermo “Willie” Torres Jr. recently announced the completion of the modern UM track oval in Matina.
For years, upon the invitation of UM sports director Joaquin “Coach Boy” Sarabia, we have covered events hosted by UM in Matina like the Datu Uchida Development Foundation-backed Davao Little League Baseball, P-League, Coke Go For Goal Football and the Private Schools Athletic Association-XI (PRISAA-XI) Meets, among others.
And during those years, we’ve seen the development of Davao athletes from being novice to semi-pro level, thanks to the availability of a training and competition venue, and of course, through the generosity of UM.
I heard of this plan years ago even during the time of Col.Saturnino “Sir Ondo” Petalcorin, PRISAA-XI president and UM EVP, and again during the watch of his successor Dr. Pedro “Manong Pete” San Jose, both strong sports development supporters.
And I am happy to see the fruition of that plan during the watch of UM president sir WT.
We’ve been envious of our neighboring cities having a modern track oval and finally, Davao City has one courtesy of UM while another modern track oval is in the works at the government-owned property in Bago Oshiro.
Davao as a city has excelled in track and field for many years. UM, because of its excellent sports program, has attracted high school track stars to join its track and field varsity and this has not only benefited the university but the local city sports division which has tapped the services of those athletes to represent the city in national competitions.
There is actually no need to train those athletes because UM took care of it already. All we have do back then (this was the time when Butch Ramirez was chief of the City Sports Division during the third term of Mayor Rody Duterte) is to ask permission from UM executives that the athletes be allowed to represent the city to the national championships and the city takes care of the expenses.
That was really an awesome partnership.
With the completion of this modern facility, I would expect a surge of track and field talents in the region.
You see, there is always a big difference when you compete in a rubberized oval and a dirt surfaced track. And this new facility is a blessing to the athletes. Finally, they can now have a better feel of the track and once they go to the national championships, there is no need to adjust.
Our congratulations to UM president Willie Torres, who himself is a track star during his heydays at De La Salle University, and his team headed by sports director Boy Sarabia, whose retirement was a little bit delayed just to help out in the realization of this lovely project.
You have made us very, very happy and proud!
