EDUCATION and sports are two distinct things that will always be part of humanity. They will never run out of benefits. They are the ingredients not just towards a smart and healthy lifestyle but exciting and life-changing experiences.
One person I know who fits perfectly in the education and sports arena is Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez. He was an educator before he was called to serve as the chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) during the time of then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
He brought with him his being an educator making sure that the people he worked with will learn something extraordinary. He is the kind of educator who allows people to grow and inspire them to do more. The lessons he brings are more than what is taught in the classroom; he teaches about life and how to make it worth living.
And the world of sports where he focuses now comes in. He was called again to serve as Chair of PSC in the current administration. President Rodrigo R. Duterte puts his trust in him to lead the highest sporting body in the country.
As PSC Chair, his focus is not only confined to the development of athletes or sports events in the country but the development of leadership among children through sports as well.
Yes, leadership through sports. In sports, we often hear about developing sportsmanship and teamwork or handling pressure, victory, and loss but Chairman Butch leans more on leadership and commitment. The kind of person he embodies in his personal and professional life.
All these sums up his being an educator. He always believes that the real gold is our children. We can start developing their potential in leadership through sports.
In sports, children are taught to dream – that they can create a champion in them. While they dream, they learn how to take calculated risks, overcome fears, prepare strategies, find solutions, and commit themselves.
All these are basic steps towards developing leadership.
In sports, children learn the values that our teachers integrate into their lessons – fairness, respect, discipline, integrity, and hard work.
So, we are not educating about sports; sports educate us.
A sport is not just about competition; sport is a way of life. It can be in a form of competitive physical activity or a form of exercise and physical fitness. It can be a stress reliever or a recreation or a mental health treatment or a form of play.
Chairman Butch established the Philippine Sports Institute in PSC wherein one of the programs is developing sports volunteers. Some of them are Junior and Senior High School students who join the Children’s Games as Ate and Kuya taking care of children.
Children’s Games program is one way to develop social skills, sportsmanship, respect, and many more among children. It highlights the importance of play and how it becomes a meaningful experience to children.
Here, the sports volunteers are taught leadership. Here, they apply what they have learned in school – not the academic thing, but the values instilled in them.
This is what makes Chairman Butch an educator above being a sportsman. He teaches children and adults the most essential lessons in life.
He underscores the importance of physical activity because health is our most valuable asset. But he also emphasizes the importance of knowledge – that it is the only way where we can solve problems and we can improve our reasoning. Critical thinking is so important for us to better understand ourselves.
As he shared in Diri sa DepEd Onse broadcast as a special guest, leadership comes from the heart and mind. You carry your knowledge wherever you are especially in decision-making and you balance it with compassion.
I have always said this – Chairman Butch is one of the few great leaders I admire most. I am happy to have worked with him on many projects. I have seen the gift of person in him.
I am happy to find great leaders too in DepEd, in our education sector. Leaders who would make you want to do more and be more. Leaders who are not there just because of their positions, but a kind of people who brings out the best in each one.
To all the great leaders in the world, may your tribe increase.