Loren: Sports can unite nation

VICE presidential aspirant Senator Loren Legarda recognizes the importance of sports that she will push for its promotion if given the chance to serve as the country's second highest official.

There are two important factors why Legarda is looking at sports as a vital tool in the country's push for development: it unites the nation and saves the youth from drugs.

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"Politics is all divisive, religion is all divisive. Everything is all divisive except sports (for this) can unite a nation and can make the youth and the children veer away from drugs," Legarda said when asked by Sun.Star Davao about her thoughts on sports when she spent time with several journalists at Antonio's Friday night.

The 50-year-old Legarda appeared modest in her white shirt and jeans, and even belted a series of classic songs from The Carpenters that entertained the media no end.

The lady senator said sports will be one of her priorities should she emerged triumphant in the May 10 elections. She is also pushing for echo tourism in the country "for the promotion of sports and protection of the environment are interrelated."

"I am not really an athlete, but I think the promotion of sports will make the youth veer away from drugs, whether it’s cycling, whether its basketball. Even our native sports lke sipa and arnis," Legarda said.

"I took up arnis in college, but I'm not a gifted athlete. I think the promotion of sports in the classrooms can unite our nation," she added.