IT IS already the last month of 2020. Without realizing it, we have already adapted to the "new normal" of doing things. Online transactions have replaced face to face interactions. Almost everything has adapted to an online and virtual environment, and this includes sports. Sports events are now conducted online with guidelines fit for a virtual event.
In recent weeks, we have seen several athletes doing good in online sanctioned events. There are already several Filipino athletes winning in weightlifting, chess, sambo, and many more events. The recent winner is SEA Games gold medalist, Margielyn Didal winning silver in the Madrid Urban Sports tournament.
All of these have been silver linings to the damage brought about by the pandemic. As John Milton said, "Every cloud has a silver lining." Virtual and online activities are the silver lining here. While physically and geographically distant, online meets and virtual events have kept us closer with one another. In a "new normal," this is the way forward.
As modeled by the Mindanao Peace Games leadership, they have made various local and international collaborations to advance the MPG programs. Case in point, they have just concluded their leadership training program featuring multiple speakers from the country and from outside.
The MPG has a working template that can be emulated by other sports organizations for their various causes. There is no monopoly on technology, and we use what works best for us. The more sports leaders and organizations are taking on delivering content and programs online, the better it is for sports to flourish in our country.
Notes from the sidelines: The PBA bubble Philippine Cup is on its way. Barangay Ginebra drew first blood against TNT last Sunday, leading 1-0 in the best of seven series. Game two is set today at 6 p.m.
As of this writing, the new generation Gilas Pilipinas will square off against the Thailand team they defeated by 32 points last November 28. All the best to the young guns of Gilas Pilipinas.
The NBA preseason games are set for December 11-19. It is barely two months since the NBA Finals. One of the many highlights of the NBA preseason is the December 11 Battle of Los Angeles and the anticipated Brooklyn debut of Kevin Durant on December 18. The 2020-2021 NBA season tips off on December 22.