IN ALL the uncertainty and chaos brought about by the pandemic, being able to communicate has become stronger than before. We have taken communication channels for granted pre-Covid. Now, we owe a lot to communication apps to get us in touch.
Last Saturday, I was invited to the online talk show, "Kabarkadacs," hosted by student-athletes and sports officers from Davao Association of Catholic Schools-(Dacs)-member schools. I was with former Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Junior High women's basketball protégé, Rozie Amatong. It was an hour and a half of sharing our thoughts and insights about the sports journey.
Rozie shared how she began basketball at the age of three under the guidance of her father, how she was discovered in one of the local clinics, and how she made it to the Jr.NBA team who went to China.
Listening to her story, I would say, student-athletes now are so blessed to be allowed to shine and excel at an early age. It also helps to have supportive parents.
As for me, I shared about my coaching journey, how I started my coaching career, its highlights, and challenges. Guesting for them allowed me to share my journey to a new generation of student-athletes. It was so endearing to hear the participants resonate with your experiences.
Indeed coaching never stops. My time on the court may have been long over. But opportunities like this ignite my passion for becoming a mentor, a coach. Once a coach, always a coach. It never leaves us. Channels find us, much like how I ended up on the online talk show. Kudos to the Kabarkadacs for initiating this. Continue communicating and connecting!
As of this writing, it would have been the 42nd birthday of Kobe Bryant. I am dedicating this piece to him and becoming an inspiration to me and millions around the world. He challenged us to become better, and we keep on trying to become better versions of ourselves every day. Lifting from the Nike ad aired on his birthday:"Kobe taught us to be better..." We strive to become better students, better teachers, better persons.
Incidentally, this also summarizes the whole "Kabarkadacs" episode. For Rozie and her drive to become a better student-athlete and for us coaches, a better leader, mentor, and inspiration.
Each new day is a chance to make it happen.