LAGAWE, Ifugao – – The vision and agenda of choosing the province’s top-notch athletes will be defined at the forthcoming Ifugao Provincial Athletic Selection Meet at the end of the month.
Schools Division Superintendent Sally Ullalim said the meet, to be held on November 29 to December 3 at various sites in the capital town of Lagawe, will gather more than 3,000 athletes from the province’s 11 towns.
“Through this competition, we hope to lay down a clear-cut road map that will strengthen our resolve to perform well in the CARAA Meet next year in Baguio City,” she stressed.
On the other hand, Governor Pedro Mayam-o assured athletes, coaches, trainers, teachers, local officials, organizers, referees and other stakeholders of his full and unqualified support to ensure the meet’s success.
Governor Mayam-o, a long-time public servant who has contributed immensely not only to harnessing the skills and talents of the young, but also in the pursuit of a better and more competitive sports program in this upland Cordillera province, motioned that the meet is an integral part of Ifugao’s history.
The province’s highest official recalled that the socio-economic agenda of the Mayam-o administration included increased budgetary assistance to programs, projects and activities related to sports.
In an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, Governor Mayam-o expressed his optimism of achieving the objective of not only conducting a successful event, but also in raising the competitiveness and preparedness levels of Ifugao’s athletes for both regional and national competitions due to the fact that “all concerned parties have been focused on their task.”
“Preparations before and after this year’s provincial meet are vital to bolster our athletes’ training,” he said.
“Support for these youthful athletes is indeed very important. We must recognize that they are major contributors for nation-building. Thus, we must exert all efforts to ensure that their contributions are well recognized and appreciated,” he added.
Many commended Governor Mayam-o for the invaluable support he is giving to the sports program of the province.
For his part, Board Member James Frederick Dulnuan, who cares deeply about Ifugao’s sports program, said the government should treat each athlete as a valuable stakeholder.
“Ifugao athletes should continuously be exposed to competitions outside of the province in order to bring out the best in them,” he asserted. “That way, we are able to bring the best of our people,” he added. Board Member Dulnuan is the chairman of the Committee on Education and Public Information.
The budget for the sports program of the province as well as municipal governments are grossly inadequate and not even enough to buy equipment fitted for the CARAA and Palarong Pambansa competitions. Thus, increased budgetary allocations for the same are vital.
The five-day meet is the most prestigious sports event in this part of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Top honors are to be contested by young and promising athletes from public and private primary and secondary schools. It shall also serve as a spring board for those who want to shine in the Palarong Pambansa (National Games).
Up for grabs are gold, silver and bronze medals in archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiards, boxing, chess, football, gymnastics, kadang-kadang, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, wrestling, wushu and sanggul.
Hence, it is only natural for several towns to send their best athletes and figure out in the race for over-all supremacy in the medal tally. This early, Alfonso Lista is a heavy favorite to keep the tag of being the dominant sports powerhouse in Ifugao. It topped the provincial meet’s 2015 staging in Lamut. This has been attributed to the all-out support of Mayor Glenn Prudenciano in promoting the welfare of athletes who are seeking honor and glory in distant sporting arenas. Mayor Prudenciano has also developed systems that have become models for other municipalities throughout the country to replicate.
Pushing for the development of sports, most especially in government-operated learning institutions and the grassroots level, Ifugao Department of Education (DepEd) officials have adopted the theme “Ifugao- One Team, One Dream, One Journey to Greater Heights” in this year’s edition of the Ifugao Provincial Athletic Selection Meet.
Guest speaker is Manuel Bitog. He is the operations division chief of the Philippines Sports Commission.
Other key participants are Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr., Vice Governor Jose Jordan Gullitiw, board members, mayors, vice mayors and high-ranking DepEd officials.
First day activities are highlighted by a parade and an opening program, with welcome remarks to be delivered by Mayor Martin Habawel Jr. of the host municipality.
A closing program is scheduled on December 3 at the Lagawe Central School gymnasium. SPED Ifugao school principal Margaret Dulnuan is the emcee.
The incoming sports meet here is a welcome development since it undoubtedly helps in fortifying provincial government and DepEd mechanisms to upgrade the athletic prowess of the youth.
It is hoped that Governor Mayam-o can move on an urgent basis to align with the private sector in light of the public-private-partnership (PPP) program and create a collaborative environment for civil society and organizations, non-government organizations and people’s organizations to participate and make a difference. **By Anthony A. Araos
