Editorial: A sportsfest that is pro-athletes
-A A +AFriday, October 19, 2012
THE 2012 Davao City Athletic Association (DCAA) Meet is all set to unfurl on Oct. 22 at the Davao City National High School.
Hundreds of student-athletes in both elementary and secondary levels, including those in far-flung districts, will compete in separate venues here with the hope of winning slots to the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet that will serve as qualifying for the ultimate grassroots sports spectacle that is the Palarong Pambansa.
While coaches train their athletes with the best of their abilities and utmost patience, the hard-working athletes endure the rigors of discipline to fulfill their biggest dream of playing in the Palaro, win the gold medal and, perhaps, receive college scholarship grants from prestigious universities in Metro Manila.
Coaches and athletes are the ones who represent our city to regional and national competitions. Sports officials are proudest when the athletes bring the city honor but they are the first ones who turn a deaf ear and blind eye to their complaints.
Yes, coaches and athletes must abide by the rules and regulations of any competition. But the organizers and the hosts have the biggest responsibility of making sure that student participants compete on a decent playing ground and not in a pitiful and muddy field that was the venue of the 2012 Davraa Meet football competition in Compostela Valley. The said sub-standard football field used to be a corn field.
Athletes and coaches put sports leaders in high regard. It is expected that the same respect be accorded to them by sports officials.
It is inhumane and disrespectful to allow kids play in a muddy and slippery field that carabaos (water buffalos) can find enjoyable to roll over.
We hope that organizers and hosts have learned from the past and make up for it this time. We pray that athletes will be able to play in a decent and safe field, enjoy every moment of it whether they win or lose. It's just a game after all. And games are supposed to be fun and enjoyable.
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on October 19, 2012.
Opinion
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