Saturday, February 23, 2008 Cebu City sports body to honor heroes
WITH Cebuanos shining in the sporting world nationally or internationally, the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) deems it necessary to honor Cebu’s sports heroes.
CCSC top honcho Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem said he found the need to hold an awards night for them.
“It will be a night where recognition is given to sports icons who made a great deal of contribution to Cebu or the country, acknowledgement of the accomplishment for the year and to recognize the future stars,” said Jakosalem.
He said this is one way to show the athletes that their efforts are not taken for granted. This will also serve to boost their morale.
The event is set at the same time the awarding of the annual Cebu sports hall of fame will take place.
This activity, said Jakosalem, also surfaced after they realized that they could not accommodate all recipient athletes during the Charter Day recognition.
“There is just too many of them and we can only award a handful during the Charter Day because we are also awarding other outstanding persons in other fields. We do not want other athletes to feel left out because of this,” said the councilor.
Last Wednesday, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña had approved the recognition of Team Cebu City U-15 Football team, which won the title in the Philippine Olympic Festival as the most outstanding sports team for the Charter Day, along with Sea Games medalist Julius Nierras and wushu stars Stephanie and Mary Evangeline Agbay.
Jakosalem said that although they are still ironing out the details, athletes need to be nominated to be considered. They must also submit a portfolio of their achievements during the year. They will all go through a screening committee.
Awards will be divided according to category. An example would be the “outstanding professional basketball team” and “outstanding amateur team”, among others. There will also be awards for individuals, one of which is the “most promising athlete of the year” award.
Jakosalem said he will also push for the recognition of barangays, schools and Sanguniang Kabataan units that have implemented the best sports programs.
“This is one way of prodding these groups to fortify their sports programs. We are promoting both sports in the grassroots level and groups to have a sports program that would help the youth,” Jakosalem said.
Jakosalem said they are still thinking on whether to hold the awarding on a yearly basis or biennially. MCB
