Saturday, September 13, 2008 Sports body promotes peace through sports By Charles Raymond A. Maxey
THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is intensifying its Sports for Peace Program in Mindanao by bringing together Christians, Lumads and the Muslims in one competition.
PSC chairman William "Butch" Ramirez renewed his call for support of the commendable program over a luncheon meeting he hosted among various national sports associations (NSAs) and the academe in Davao City Thursday at the Emerald Restaurant where the coming 1st Mindanao Children's Games was also discussed.
The Mindanao Children's Games, a multi-event sports competition featuring Mindanao's young athletes aged under 13, is one of the projects under the PSC's Sports for Peace Program.
The Games will be held in Davao City from November 14 to 16 at the University of Mindanao (UM) Matina campus.
"As a Mindanaoan, it is my dream to see the Christians, the Lumads and Muslims work together. It is my dream to see them play together," Ramirez said during the meeting also attended by Davao City Sports Council Inc. president, Davao City Councilor Leter T. Laviña.
Ramirez nearly turned emotional while delivering his message, emphasizing intentions of promoting peace in the troubled Mindanao through sports development.
"We really need each other," Ramirez said.
The Mindanao Children's Games will be staged in coordination with the Department of Education, Davao Association of Colleges and Schools and the Archdiocesan Center for Ecumenism and Inter-religious Dialogue.
The PSC and other stakeholders of the Mindanao Children's Games seek to inculcate values and lessons children may carry in their journey through life.
