Monday, April 07, 2008 Anti-drug abuse drive through sports starts By Gandhi C. Kinjiyo
GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- A crusade against drug abuse through holding sportsfest in five towns in South Cotabato kicks off this summer.
Dubbed as "Summerkadahan '08- The Sixth Congressional Summer Youth Extravaganza," is a program of South Cotabato Representative Darlene Antonino-Custodio in her campaign against drug abuse which involves sports activities for the youth.
Custodio is the representative in congress of the city of General Santos and towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan in South Cotabato Province.
Summerkadahan '08, which will be launched on April 12, retains its focal attention on drug abuse prevention and the sports of basketball. The organizer would include volleyball for women with this city as a pilot area.
About 14 barangays in Tampakan, 15 in Tupi, 20 in Polomolok, and 26 in General Santos will compete for title in their respective towns.
Town champions will meet in this city on May 18 to battle for the championship for the 'congressional finals.'
The project includes the orientation of the players about the evils of drug abuse though seminar. The participants are expected to become peer educators and become prime movers in anti-drug campaign.
Participating in-school and out-of-school youth ranges from ages 13 to 17 for the junior category and 18 to 22-year old for the senior.
Participants will be provided subsidy of five thousand pesos per team for their uniform. The Sanguniang Kabataan (SK) in the participating towns also supports the program.
"This concern of our society and our 'children and youth-needing help' calls for everybody's attention," Elmer Cequiña, chief of Youth Affairs Development Office, one of the facilitators of the event said.
He pointed out that the Summerkadahan, now in its 6th year, has drawn out raves and admiration of the citizenry and from among the youth and adult anti-drug crusaders and sports enthusiasts within the First Congressional District.
