"on a shoestring"

Pana-ad Sports Complex

It was cloudy when we continued our events-hopping during the 6^th day of the National Games. Our last destination of the day was Pana-ad Sports Complex where the athletics events are being held. Amped! My heart was pumping because among all the sports I covered, athletics is the closes to my heart because I run too. Well not competitively but I somehow I know the nitty-gritty of most of the athleticsevent.

Mary Grace delos Santos with Team Cebu

Mary Grace delos Santos (from Zamboanga City to Cebu City)

Me with Mary Grace delos Santos

I saw familiar faces in the field. One of them, Mary Grace delos Santos. She was still panting when I congratulated her, she just finished running the 5,000m event and clocked at 18:32 making her get the bronze medal. Earlier she bagged the gold medal during the 3,000m steeple chase for her 12:14 time.

Mary Grace was with her team too, Jade Marie Recto, Mary Joy Tabal, Sheena Gacayan. They placed 3^rd during the 4 x 100 relay.

Mary Grace was originally from Zamboanga City but she represents Cebu LGU here at the Pinoy Games. This particular thing happened to a lot of our athletes. I have talked with the male winner of the 800m who is representing Laguna province but is actually from Marikina City. This got me into thinking of why is that so? Is there no appropriate budget for the development of sports here in our country?

“Lakas ng Loob”

high jump event (photo credits: trisa carlos)

If we talk about potential, we have lots of that. Actually, most of the athletes I saw were just there because of “lakas ng loob.” To tell you honestly, my heart was crying after looking into their situation. Most do not have proper equipments, not even decent running shoes. For some their shoes have been with them since they started running. I cry inside. I started asking myself, “Is this a reflection of the Philippine Sporting Community?

I really don’t know but I think this National Games has been a welcome opportunity for both our national and local athletes to be seen and somehow given chance to represent their events and so somehow open possibilities of sponsorships. I mean, the government (or the PSC) alone cannot afford to provide our athletes all the things that we need because of the lack of budget for sports development.

800m Male winners

Positive thoughts…

At that particular moment, I just tried to think of other things and focused in the positives. For a moment, I thank the major sponsors of the National Games, private companies that have heart to help our athletes. Kudos!

Deep inside, I was hoping that many will continue to support such events and that more LGUs will create budgets to their athletes. Lakas ng loob is not enough, we need proper budget, proper equipments and people who have pure intentions of really helping our people to succeed thru sports.

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Philippine National Games 2011 Series is a break from my usual running event posts. The series will highlight stories behind every sports represented as well as athletes who display big potential in their own field. My gratitude goes to PSC Commissioner Jolly Gomez, Sir Lito Cinco and Ms. Mylene Concepcion for the opportunity to cover such a big event. Mabuhay po kayo pati narin ang PSC at POC!