TAGUIG City Representative Pia Cayetano met with the football and futsal players of Cagayan de Oro as she inspected the newly painted, rubberized flooring of the Pagatpat Elementary School Futsal Court last Sunday, January 27, in Barangay Pagatpat, this city.
Cayetano, known for her love for sports and founder of Pinay in Action (PIA) sports development program, has supported the grassroots sports program of Pagatpat Elementary School, Project Kugi: Football and Fundamental Movement Skills.
The project, initiated by the Cagayan-Misamis Oriental Football Association (CMOFA) under the leadership of Percy Guarin, will provide an understanding of the current position and potential for future development of football and elementary physical education from grassroots to elite participation including administration and coaching.
Additionally, the platform will identify key stakeholders and how they can support the mechanism that enable the residents and the community to fully participate as provider or participant.
Project Kugi also aims to develop a shared vision for the continual improvement of physical literacy and football in Barangay Pagatpat in line with the schools’ School Improvement Plan; and develop a coordinated program with relevant stakeholders and help Pagatpat Elementary School achieve its mission.
The setup of the project was during the third week of March until July 2018 and the roll-out was on August 2018 until May 2021.
Cayetano, a triathlete who believes that football has the ability to empower young girls, delivered a brief inspirational message to the young football and futsal players of Pagatpat Elementary School, Bulua Elementary School and Bulua National High School.
“Cagayan de Oro has produced a young lady footballer, Eunice Eduave, who now plays for the University of the Philippines,” Cayetano said, adding that like Eduave, the children can study in good schools if they continue playing football.
She also shared a brief story of her and her children's experiences in sports, particularly in football, and reminded the football and futsal players to focus not just in sports but also in their studies.
Cayetano advised the parents who were present during the visit to help their children learn how to speak in English through letting them watch English cartoon and television shows.
Apart from her inspirational message, Cayetano expressed delight at seeing the skills of two of Cagayan de Oro's talented football and futsal players: Iverson Sambaan of Barangay Pagatpat, a grade 6 football star player of the elementary team of Northern Mindanao who will be playing in the Palarong Pambansa held in Davao; and Jewel Actub of Barangay Bulua, a high school futsal player who is a part of Cagayan de Oro's team for the Batang Pinoy 2019 in Davao.
The players, in turn, expressed their gratitude to the senator and are looking forward to another visit in the future.
“Thank you ma’am Pia for improving our Futsal court here in Pagatpat. I promise we will continue playing football,” Sambaan said.
At present, the rubberized painting of the Pagatpat Futsal Court is still ongoing.
Aside from Cayetano, other contributors to the project are Ricky Yanson of Negros Occidental Football Associaation, Jandon Villas, and Guy Edsel Omictin.