Wednesday, July 02, 2008 Minda Sports Summit set in Tubod By Lynde Salgados
ALL roads lead to the revival of the "long-forgotten" Mindanao Friendship Games with the Philippine Sports Commission's (PSC) holding of another Mindanao Sports Summit on July 3-4 at the Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
In a letter, PSC chair William "Butch" Ramirez said he expects local sports stakeholders to look into the focus and direction of sports in Mindanao and in the country, and how "our island and country can truly represent their people in the international community" during this two-day summit.
Ramirez is the founding head of the sports for peace program dubbed "Mindanao Friendship Games", which he conceptualized when he's still then a PSC commissioner.
Under the said program, Ramirez has envisioned a comprehensive, sustainable and doable scheme, as well as the formulation of policies and crafting of realistic sports programs for Mindanao when he called for a Mindanao Sports Summit some seven years ago.
The meaningful event (MSS) proved to be a catalyst for change as it forged alliance from the meaningful tri-people (lumad, Christians and Muslims) in Mindanao. It also paved the way for the staging of the first ever MFGames being hosted by the politically inclined but undeniably sports-loving Dimaporos in the quiet municipality of Tubod.
But after the promotion of Ramirez to the PSC's top hierarchy, the MFG flames apparently died down reportedly due to budgetary constraints.
The Games had its baptism of fire in Tubod, Lanao del Norte in 2001. Cagayan de Oro hosted it the following year and finally, Mati, Davao Oriental was the venue for its last edition in 2003.
However, the MFG Avenue was revisited when the PSC's 2008 budget was increased after Ramirez successfully defended it at the Senate.
"I'm fully behind the plan to revive the Mindanao Friendship Games. It should be regularly funded by the National Government and LGUs (local government unit) as part of Mindanao development agenda. The continued conduct of it will enhance the skills and ability of regional athletes, as well as promote better linkages with Bimp-EAGA through sports development competitions," said lawyer Roy Hilario Raagas, former city councilor and certified sports leader in Cagayan de Oro.
For his part, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan athletic director Gerardo "Boboy" Sabal said the MFG's revival is a welcome development since it could blaze the trail anew for the discovery of more athletes in Mindanao even without the difficult route of going to Manila.
"Instead of POC's POF program, MFG na lang `ta sa PSC para iwas doble gastos sa gobyerno. At least, identified `ta nga Mindanao sa MFG," said national chess arbiter Lorenzo "Jun" Cuizon whose wife and daughter were once part of the RP women's team in the World Chess Olympiad.
Ramirez said the MFG's revival is a good reason for Mindanaoans to celebrate.
Himself a Mindanaoan, Ramirez -- who served as commissioner for over four years before taking the PSC chair challenge -- vowed to implement the plans and programs he outlined as per instructions of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Reviving the MFGames was among Ramirez's priorities aside from the top goal of winning the elusive gold in the fast approaching Beijing Olympics.
