THE Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Sports Festival officially opened on Sunday, August 6, at the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Covered Court.
The sports program of YMCA in collaboration with the Private Schools Athletic Association (Prisaa)-Unit V jumpstarted with a secondary boys’ basketball game between Lamb of God Sped Academy (LGSA) and Immanuel School of Davao (ISD).
The former mangled the latter 119-22, to end the regulation on a high note.
The day before the launching of the sports festival, YMCA and Prisaa held a Solidarity Assembly for the participating schools and YMCA indoctrination.
Among the guests of the program held at the Emar Human and Environmental College (Ehec) were Prisaa president Ma. LitaMontalban, Prisaa vice president Joaquin Sarabia, YMCA president Mariano Alquizar, Dr. Janet Veloso of the Department of Education, YMCA corporate secretary Russell Barrizo, YMCA business manager Vicente Bañez Jr. and Rose Evora of St. Francis Xavier Learning Center.
YMCA executive program director Silvia Piedad and EHEC executive academic director Badet Mission, however, were the facilitators of the Solidarity Assembly.
YMCA had been holding sports events for the youth in the past 10 years but this is the biggest event ever with 32 participating schools through their collaboration with Prisaa.
"YMCA is not only developing one aspect. Our vision is to develop the holistic aspects of the youth which is the mental, social, physical and spiritual aspects," Piedad in the aspiration of YMCA.
Montalban, who is one of the resource speakers, said YMCA and Prisaa envision developing a wholesome young and adult Christian through sports.
"This is also our way to give another opportunity to those ineligible athletes, who cannot join DCAA (Davao City Athletic Association) and Prisaa, an avenue to continue playing their desired sports," added Montalban.
Alquizar, meanwhile, urged the participants to strive for their future, saying: "The future of you depends on your hands."
The sports festival will feature basketball, volleyball and chess.
YMCA-Prisaa is also planning to add elementary students and include football in the sports festival along with literary, cultural and musical arts program slated in September.
Playing dates fall on every Saturday at the DPWH covered court.