By Anthony A. Araos
Ifugao garnered 24 gold, 47 silver and 60 bronze medals at the last Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association (CARAA) Meet in La Trinidad, Benguet.
It’s time to acknowledge and appreciate the achievements of the athletes. As a result, 32 of the 534 athletes who took part in the CARAA, and are now Palarong Pambansa (National Games)- bound in Agusan del Sur. No more light assignments. They are surely up against the “best of the best” aspirants from 17 other regions. Think of the National Capital Region (or Metro Manila) alone. What about those from Southern Tagalog Region, Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao and so forth. In other words, it’s not a walk in the park!
Why am I now sounding nervous about the Ifugao athletes? Because they are not still practicing! When there is a strong need to keep them in sharp form. Worried? Because I am. All over again, I saw it during the CARAA, undertrained then till now.
Also, underfunded, underequipped and underfed are the signature catch phrases in the grueling campaign. I raised this alarm even before the CARAA. Obviously, it, fell on deaf ears. Thus, the flap! From fourth in 2025, Ifugao placed fifth this year.
There was no improvement at all. Ifugao went to CARAA with Php 7.2 million budget; coaches with no allowances and unheralded trainers who were even paid by teachers and parents- with disastrous results. Without a sound game plan, may bow out of the competition after just a game.
Hard to dispute the fact that in the forthcoming Palaro, is only sending 32 athletes and four coaches, compared to 52 athletes and eight coaches in 2025. Comparative studies of the two meets are very important. Numbers don’t lie!
What kind of athletes would you like to represent Ifugao? Twelve of the 32 Palaro-bound athletes are from Don Bosco High School, a private school, or nearly 37 percent of the entire contingent. Many of the athletes- or the bulk of it are from public schools- whose parents are farmers and fisher folks. In other words, they are poor. This trend will likely continue in 2027 and the years to come.
Expenditures for the provincial, CARAA and Palaro entail public funds from taxes of Filipinos paid through their hard-earned salaries.
Problems arise when there are divisions within the family, and together with lack of common sense, it piles up.
For instance, Kiangan and Lagawe dance sport athletes held their training sessions separately as if scenarios like South Korea vs North Korea, Eat Bulaga vs Showtime. The results showed how deep the rift was. Lesson learned. Except for Gov. Jerry Dalipog, officials should be connected with the athletes. The first critical step to overcoming these problems is unifying the athletes.
There is a continuous push for public-private partnership to address longstanding problems. This will contribute significantly to end an era of debacle.
Promote competitive sports so that Ifugao folks can benefit from sports development. Harness full potential of the youth through sports that also keep them away from virulent vices.
For the betterment of the athletes’ conditions and get better results in competitions, Ifugao must steadfastly continue the pursuit of a sound, relevant and innovative sports program.
When you get knocked down, get back up. Victory has enormous societal implications. Use this recommendation to good effects and open the way to a better sports program. There’s time to scale up their Palaro preparations. Their preparation is of great consequence.**
