TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte -- The Philippine Sports Institute (PSI) Sports Mapping Action Research Talent Identification (Smart ID) Train the Trainers Program opens Sunday, February 19 at the Rodolfo del Rosario gym, Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex here.
PSI national training director Marc Edward Velasco and PSI national deputy training director Henry Daut, also the head of grassroots development program, will spearhead the three-day event.
Joining them also is Sports Mapping Action Research for Talent
Technical Experts and Manpower (Smart Team) chief Joy Reyes.
The Smart Team, according to Daut, is composed of sports science specialists who will conduct the Smart ID testing. The Smart ID is PSI's national grassroots talent identification program.
"We are using Davao Region as kick-off point for the train the trainers program of the Smart ID. We will conduct a pilot testing for volunteer secondary and elementary schools in Tagum City. Participants will be trained how to conduct the testing as specified in the manual," Daut said, adding that participants will also be oriented on PSI's programs and will also have a practicum where they will conduct the actual testing.
The result of the testing will provide data to help PSI identify potential talents. Smart ID is designed for raw talents, not for athletes who have already been competing. Thus, it is open not just for students but also for out-of-school youths and indigenous people (IP) children.
Daut said, "We want every Filipino child be given the opportunity to be identified for sports excellence."
Hitches in the pilot testing will be addressed by PSI for better implementation in Visayas and Luzon areas before the Smart ID nationwide launching.
Similar Train the Trainers Program will also be held in Visayas on March 13 to 15, South Luzon on April 9 to 11 and in North Luzon on May 7 to 9. But the nationwide launch schedule has yet to be finalized.
Daut also said that they chose Davao Region as venue for the pilot test being a compact area, the Provincial Government of Davao del Norte is very accommodating, volunteer schools will provide the students and availability of the facilities.
The Smart ID is the testing phase where talents will be identified. Top five promising athletes per testing area will be brought to the Smart Kids in Developmental Sports (Kids) program.
Kids with high potential for sports excellence will then join the Smart Pool (Providing Opportunities of Optimal Learning) program that serves as the talent development phase.