|
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Taneo: Where do the children play?
By Paul J. Taneo
Free-for-all
NONE of those playing in the Mayor’s Cup Softball Tournament would qualify as children by any stretch of the imagination, but aren’t all grownup sports mere extensions of men’s childish/childlike idea of fun? The money part only came in when the distinctions between professional and amateur were made.
Those taking part in the MCST are big and old enough to be playing pro sports but the money involved here mostly goes to uniform and equipment.
Consider the team names: Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology, Rebels Softball Club, Pau d’ Arco Softball Club, Sibonga Softball Club, Carcar Softball Club, San Isidro Nine and Bern’s Ang San Vicente Softball Club.
It’s clear the clubs are either backed by commercial companies or a gathering of batted-sports lovers from a small town.
POETIC REPRIMAND. MCST games were held at the Labangon Elementary School grounds. That is until the trouble with the school authorities ensued.
Labangon ES Principal Josefina Fabio and General PTCA president Nimfa del Rosario complained of “destruction of plants, the broken plots, the writings on the building walls, the harvest of jackfruits,” that Fabio and del Rosario, waxing poetic asked, “are these not mute by spectators evidence of lapse in security and crowd control?”
If that wasn’t enough, the two ladies also mentioned of the alleged forcing open of classroom doors and windows, broken fluorescent bulbs and failure of the tournament organizers to secure a permit for two playdates – March 5 and 12.
Tournament organizer Dionisio Bacarisas denied all accusations.
Prinicipal Fabio said that she is all for the development of batted sports as she once played the game herself. Bacarisas confirmed Fabio’s history of involvement in the sport.
But Fabio caustically had an addendum: “But, together with its internalization of the values of sportsmanship, camaraderie and discipline, we should not forget to imbue in ourselves, the age-old values or respect courtesy, honesty and obedience.”
How can you argue with such eloquence? The very least, it restores my faith in the public-school system. Having three children of my own studying in a Mandaue public school, it allays my doubts on the language abilities of the present crop of schoolmarms who are tasked to educate this country’s kids. It also adds to my dismay on the almost-desperate measures fringe sports like softball and baseball have to take just to stay alive.
Of 10 Filipino children who are into sports, ½ probably play batted sports. With all this talk of encouraging Filipinos to take part in sports where we have a fighting chance in the international arena, the government hasn’t done much to go that route. It’s still basketball, basketball, basketball…and some boxing and billiards. While the three Rs are taught in school, in sports, it’s the three Bs.
Fortunately for the Mayor’s Cup Softball Tournament, it found another playing field at the Basak National High School grounds. You may wonder, why not hold games at the Cebu City Sports Center (Abellana) field? An answer in question form may be provided: You got the budget? The MCST carries the city mayor’s name and the CCSC is government owned, so what’s the problem? Too many questions. We don’t have the answers.
This only stresses the need for a real softball/baseball field that may be put up at the South Reclamation Area. But that is counting the chicks before the eggs are hatched. Think of the Cebu City and Talisay City mayors as Principal Fabio and PTCA president del Rosario. Think of the SRP as the Labangon ES. Think of the Mayor’s Cup Softball Tournament as batted sports in general.
Do you see where this is going? I only hope they don’t plant jackfruit at the SRP.
(paulotaneo@yahoo.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 16, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
