DUE to the Covid-19 pandemic, sports activities in Negros Occidental have hibernated, which prevented the interaction among coaches and athletes.
In this relation, the Provincial Sports Development Program Office will be hosting the Abanse Negrense Online Sports Mentoring Program in early January next year to help coaches and student-athletes to keep themselves mentally, physically, and psychologically sound amid this Covid-19 pandemic.
Likewise, this will also be a way to show the Negrenses that the province is trying to find ways to deliver its sports program and services to the people on any platform available.
The program will be targeting hundreds of coaches and student-athletes from various local government units, schools, and sports clubs in Negros Occidental.
Each session will focus on the fundamental exercises and drills that can be performed by coaches and student-athletes at home.
In an interview, Anthony Carlo Agustin, executive assistant to the Governor for Sports Development, cited the need to initiate this program under the new normal.
He added that through this online program, they will be able to encourage athletes to develop themselves for a more active lifestyle.
"I think that when things return to normal, we need to get back to the basics. We don't have to force our youngsters but, make it as part of the school program where there will be weekly tournaments. That instead of spending more of their time on cell phones, they will have some activities where they can take part," he said.
Agustin also said that they are also willing to share the online sports mentoring program with the Department of Education to help the country's sports tourism industry regain its status.
"Hopefully, we will be able to finish the program by next month so we can inform the coaches through different media outlets," he added.
Animal hub to athletes quarters
Meanwhile, Agustin in last week's budget deliberations at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan has proposed a P30 million budget for the conversion of the animal hub at the Panaad Park and Stadium into an athlete's quarters.
The proposal will require the completion of the two-story building that will include sleeping quarters and a function hall for meetings.
The P4-million animal hub was originally intended to house animals. This has pens with rails, a drainage system, auctioneer's bleachers, and an administration building. However, the Provincial Government ordered to stop the construction due to alleged irregularities in the bidding process.
Last year, the facility was formally donated by project contractor Eva Resoor.