I believe that everyone can still recall the games that we used to play as a kid. We normally gather in an alley to play “tubig tubigay”, “tumba lata”, “holenay”, “takyan” and other games.
Never mind the spanking we received from our moms or grandmoms because we were all sweated out, sun baked and we just smell terrible for them, hahahaha.
Those times when we prefer to skip lunch, just to gather with our childhood buddies and play. Those were the times when we sneak out from our rooms for the required after lunch nap on weekends just to be with the boys and some girls too.
Ahh, it was all about the games. It was fun. Those times when we kept on running and running and running outside.
It was a beautiful feeling.
And out of those playing the games, we built lasting friendships, beautiful ones, in fact.
It was all about the games and the camaraderie that comes along with it.
When news about the Philippine Sports Commission plan to continue holding the Indigenous Games, to me, it was actually a bright idea.
The conduct of the Games is designed to build friendships, camaraderie, unity among the children and adults, alike through the conduct of traditional games and sports.
The rules are simple and cost will be less compared to events organized in tandem with a local National Sports Association.
With all the unending problems besetting the Philippine Olympic Committee(POC), the PSC, being a national government agency, must focus its energies to the Children’s Games, to the Sports for Peace Games and now to the Indigenous Games.
It is about time to bring back that happy feeling, to the real joys of why we play.
We don’t think of trophies, medals or ribbons at that time. Just organize games for the children, make it safe for them to enjoy it and you have done the true purpose of conducting the games, building friendships, camaraderie and unity among them.
Probably feeding them after the games will be the prize because for sure, just like when we were kids, we have to go home after all those hours playing outside because we are already thirsty and hungry.
Let’s forget about the POC and their troubles for the rest of the term of Mayor-President Rody.
Let’s bring back the true purpose of why we play through the Indigenous Games.
The Indigenous Games could be the best thing that could happen to sports development, not only in Mindanao, but in the entire country.
Right PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez?(30)
