LATE this year, a proposed legislative measure was submitted to the City Council for enactment which would adopt a comprehensive sports development code for the city of Baguio.
Included in the proposed code is the creation of a commission that is supposed to ensure effective implementation of programs of the various sports disciplines in the city of Baguio.
It is here that we have a suggestion in the creation of the said Baguio Sports Commission (BSC) under the hopefully soon to be enacted city sports code. Before the city will come up with a list of those who form the commission the following matters must be clearly known.
First, since the proposal is a sports commission then an understanding must be made of what kind of sports commission the city wants to create.
As per the National Association of Sports Commissions based in U.S. of A there are three forms of sports commission namely: a.) Independent, non-profit corporations; b.) Division of local convention and visitors bureau; and, c.) Government agency (city, country, state).
It is obvious that since the proposed BSC would be created under an ordinance (local law) that will establish the city sports code then it follows that the form of the sports commission would follow that of a government agency.
It is reported that the proposed sports commission to be created by the city would likewise be independent, non-stock, non-political, non-sectarian, incorporated foundation. Evidently under the proposal the city would authorize by law the creation of a non-stock, non-profit and supposedly independent foundation.
Second, the officers and members that would comprise the proposed sports commission should not be included simply because they are famous athletes themselves or they are considered to be experts in their chosen field of sports.
Here is a suggestion, the officers and members should have a keen interest in the particular sport that that they are supporting either as a former athlete or simply an enthusiast.
They should have in the past not only gave their active support to that particular sport that they are involved in but also sacrificed their time, effort and personal resources for the development of their particular sport discipline. Mark Sangiao and Tony Candelaria come to mind.
Third, before one can be considered as a member or officer of the commission, and this is the critical suggestion, he/she must be able to submit a proposed grassroots sports development program for his/her particular sports discipline and which can be effectively integrated to the overall and comprehensive sports development program of the city. This is the innovation.
Don’t just come to the table with nothing but your title or reputation, you must bring a workable grassroots program for your particular sport to be developed and present it to the city.
Finally, if the city is really committed and has the earnest intention of developing sports in the locality then the proposed sports commission to be created must be inclusive and be able to actively support and implement the various sports programs required to be submitted. This time let us do it our way.