THE three-day Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) Sports Mapping Action Research Talent Identification (Smart ID) Train the Trainers Program Mindanao Leg ended on a high note at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex yesterday with participants looking forward to apply what they have learned in their regions.

Marlene Orfrecio of Kabacan, North Cotabato said, “Through the Smart ID, mas may chance ang mga bata ng Mindanao na ma-discover at ma-develop. I’m blessed to be among those chosen to be part of this grassroots program of the PSI.”

She said that the scientific way of talent identification was an eye-opener for her.

“Yung ma-experience ko personally paano mag-conduct ng test during our practicum was really worth the time I spent for the training. It was really the highlight of the our training program,” Orfrecio, who is from the University of Southern Mindanao, said, adding that she plans to also conduct Smart ID testing on their students as a start before going around Soccsksargen Region once testing equipment is available.

Davao Region trainer Cresilda M. Calero, who hails from Davao City, said she will wait for PSI’s go signal for the full implementation of the program.

Calero, who works at the Ateneo de Davao University, said the highlight of their training was the process of identifying talents using science as an approach.

The training, according to her, was one great opportunity for them to help in the grassroots sports program of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the PSI.

“It was an enriching, motivating and satisfying program,” Calero added.

Davao del Norte provincial sports coordinator Giovanni Gulanes, meanwhile, said talent identification should really be a prerequisite to have better competitive athletes. PSI PR