ALL is well that ends well.
The Battle of Katipunan came to an end last Wednesday with the Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles annexing the second title for a back to back championship. Even if the game saw the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons Cinderella season come to an end, it showcased far more than basketball prowess of both teams. It also showcased the power that sports hold, the power to unite and come together for a purpose.
The power of sports to unite us has been shown time and again. During the boxing matches of Filipino boxers and during basketball and football games of Gilas and the Azkals. Win or lose, we stood by our fellow Filipinos cheering them on and showing our full support. But this is nothing compared to the recent experience of the Battle of Katipunan.
Seldom do we experience a sports spectacle that, instead of brewing animosity between the players, fans and supporters, it brings everyone to just enjoy the moment and enjoy the glory of cheering and supporting their respective teams regardless of outcome after the final buzzer. Seeing the team and coaches congratulate and applaud each other after the game was truly a sight to behold. The recent UAAP Finals was historic in this sense by upholding community spirit instead of hostility.
Sports, by its very nature, is competitive. There would always be victors and fallen competitors. However, given this nature of sports, it has also evolved into something more than showing one’s supremacy over the other. It has become an avenue for influencing change in behavior and how people view sports. It has become a platform for advocating peace, leadership and promoting individual rights such as the rights of the child to play.
There are lots of initiatives along these advocacies promoted by the government and civil society organizations. The Sports for Peace Children’s Games of the Philippine Sports Commission, Football for Humanity grassroots sports development program and the Mindanao Peace Games are among the many programs that have maximized the potential of sports as a platform for advocacies.
Harnessing the potential of sports for far greater things seems to be becoming the “norm” as evidenced by the different initiatives I shared. We need a change in perspective in the conduct of sports events and the way we train coaches and athletes. We start with the young athletes with the hope that they sustain the training they get and carry on as they progress and mature.
This is a doable feat.
Community over animosity.
The Battle of Katipunan showed us that it can be done.