"on a shoestring"

“Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole clear, glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!” –Andrew Carnegie

I saw some of our national athletes when I arrive at the PSC Oval Track at Teacher’s Camp. They are not just watching but sharing their knowledge of sports, stooping down at the grassroots level to inspire and teach the young future athletes the proper way to do things.

I’ve seen Arneil Ferreira having a short talk on discus throw. The kids are all ears when the 2007 Southeast Asian Games Hammer Throw record holder (60.47m) was giving them advice.

ARNEL FERRERA gives some coaching to the young delegates

Eduardo Buenavista on the other hand helped in the games officiating on the first day of the tournament. Kids ask to have their pictures taken with the fastest Filipino marathoner.

Katherine Santos was there to watch the games and offer some help with a first-timer triple jump player from Baguio City. Katherine Santos just arrived from Palembang, Indonesia where she won a bronze medal for the high jump (6.25m).

Lerma Balauitan-Gabito

Two-time Olympian, Lerma Balauitan-Gabito was also present not only to see the games, she was the one measuring the triple jump event. Even teaching the kids the proper way to jump to avoid fault.

Kudos to our National Athletes to go out of their way and show some support and encouragement to our future national athletes. I hope you can see potential in the eyes and heart of these young kids.

Something great happens when one is inspired! I think inspiration is an important part of the games, its part of the battle, what’s goes on inside the mind of an athlete affects one’s performance as we always hear, “the battle starts in the mind.”

Photo credits: Rey Nillama

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Batang Pinoy Games 2011  is a grass-roots development program organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to identify young talents to be trained for the national pool of athletes. Mindanao leg was hosted by Zamboanga City (Oct 17-30); Visayas leg was hosted by Dumaguete City (Nov 10-13); Northern Luzon leg by Baguio City (Nov 24-27); Southern Luzon by Sta. Cruz City (Dec 4-7); NCR leg (Nov 29 – Dec 2); and the Finals will be held at Naga City on December 10-13, 2011.

Official website: Batang Pinoy 2011

Facebook Page: Batang Pinoy (PSC Grassroots Program)