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Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Lack of training facility a blow to Davao athletes
By Marianne L. Saberon-Abalayan
SINCE the closure of the PTA grounds due to the start of construction of Greenbelt Park more than a month ago, Davao City track stars Teodoro Nonato Jr. and Philip Ocon have to make do with whatever space available they can find for training.
Nonato, a third year BS Psychology student at the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC), and Ocon, his schoolmate and a second year Criminology student, were hailed as most outstanding athletes for track and field during the 12th So Kim Cheng Sports Foundation Awards Saturday night.
Nonato, the pride of Toril who was a double gold medallist in the 2006 National Track and Field Championships recently, said he is set to leave for Beijing, China next month to try his luck in the World Junior Championship where he is entered in boys long jump and triple jump.
"I will be funded by Patafa (Philippine Track and Field Amateur Association) as part of the Philippine contingent. But right now, I don't know how I will train for the China event. PTA is off limits. I just do my jogging along Mc Arthur Highway every day. I still don't know how I could train my jumps, though," Nonato said in the vernacular.
Nonato, however, said he tried seeking permission from a female supervisor at the City Engineer's Office to continue training at PTA Grounds while construction is going on.
"I'm glad I was allowed to enter PTA and use the track oval after school every afternoon. That's after I appealed to her (female supervisor) that I will compete in China in August. But it's really difficult training there now than before. The space is so limited," he said.
Middle distance specialist Ocon also shared the same sentiment.
"My next tournament is the Bimp-Eaga Games. I've been preparing for it since after the national open. I just do my training at the Calinan National High School. The PTA grounds would have been the best option for a training venue for athletes like me because of its accessibility. But I can't do anything about it now," Ocon said.
Both athletes still hope to make a mark in their upcoming competitions despite the lack of training facilities.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (July 25, 2006 issue)
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