BAGUIO -- The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) brings the Unesco-cited Children’s Games program to the Pine City of Baguio this week.
The PSC kicked off the weeklong event by conducting a one-day sports development planning and program seminar for the 128 barangays of Baguio City.
The seminar is a major component of the Children’s Games program with the end-goal of empowering sports leaders at the barangay level with enough skills and knowledge of creating and implementing an applicable and sustainable sports program in their respective areas.
PSC Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez has always highlighted his stand to strengthen and deepen grassroots sports, with special focus on children.
“Our children are the real gold,” Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) national training director Henry Daut quoted Ramirez in his talk during the seminar.
Giovanni Gulanes, sports coordinator of Davao del Norte and PSI sports coordinator, gave a presentation that shows how their local government unit's crafted and successfully implemented a sports program in their province. Participants cited Davao del Norte as “model LGU” and actively sought tips and guidance during the open forum.
Boys’ 3-on-3 basketball and football, girls volleyball, Zumba, fun run and Larong Pinoy will be played today to Friday at the Athletic Bowl.
Paul Rillorta, assistant sports coordinator of Baguio, said that they expect 1,000 children for the games. “Only a small percentage will be coming from schools from the central area, most of the children will be from the peripheral barangays who rarely have a chance to participate in such events. The program will truly achieve its objective to give the less-privileged and marginalized to experience sports and play.”
The Children’s Games, a program under the Sports for Peace and Sports for All thrust of the agency, was first held in May this year, ironically coinciding with the break-out of the armed conflict in Marawi City.
Since then it has been successfully held in Benguet and Iligan City for the Marawi children-evacuees. Another edition will be held in Toril, Davao on Friday and Saturday, August 18 and 19.
The Unesco has recognized this program for its components that are consistent with its objectives for inclusive access for all and maximizing the contributions to sustainable development and peace, which are all contained in the Kazan Action Plan signed by sports ministers from around the world, this July.
PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez represented Ramirez in the conference and PSI national training director Marc Edward Velasco delivered the presentation of the PSC on the Children’s Games as a “model program” for other countries to follow. (PR)