By definition, the word massacre can bring about many different concerns to the one who hears it.
For one, it can mean a large-scale merciless slaughter. Or for another, it can also refer to an overwhelming defeat. So will there soon be a “massacre” in the near future in our area? Maybe… maybe not. It’s not one of a merciless slaughter, but of an impending overwhelming defeat.
Thus, it could be, if we go by the recent events of the establishment of a One Island Region. So now Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental compete as one region. The Negros Island Regional Athletic Association (NIRAA) will now oversee sports competitions leading up to the Palarong Pambansa.
So you may ask, where is the “massacre” and when will it happen? Having followed local, regional, and national sports for the last six years, I have gained considerable knowledge of where sports is strongly supported here in the Philippines.
All that one has to do is to research on the results of past competitions such as Batang Pinoy, Milo Little Olympics, and the Palarong Pambansa, and it can easily be determined where improvements have been made.
Let’s identify certain sports and where these are being supported: Athletics and Football are well-supported in Region 6, where Negros Occidenti=al used to belong. Swimming is strongly-supported in NCR.
We can also see which areas of the country are emphasizing on sports. Take for instance Tacloban City in Leyte which has Leyte Sports Academy. They are making advancements in athletics.
Other parts of the country are also improving and specializing in specific sports.
So again you ask, where is the “massacre”?
We need to evaluate how well Dumaguete and Negros Oriental have done in past competitions.
Just on the regional level, it’s not so good. In the last regional competition as part of CVIRRA, teams from Negros Oriental were beaten by teams such as Bohol, Cebu City, Cebu Province, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Talisay.
There were 18 teams in the competition and at the bottom eight teams, five were from Negros Oriental. What a shame!
We may have many sports activities happening around here, but little is actually being done to improve our standing in these events.
Swimming has regular local competitions involving the youth, and they do fairly well in the regional level.
But more grassroots programs need to be implemented by experienced coaches.
Now to answer the question: Is a massacre in the making?
It could be, since Negros Oriental will now have to face a formidable foe in Negros Occidental in February in Bacolod.
In some sports, we do have an opportunity to advance athletes to the Palaro. Athletics, Swimming, and Archery are possibilities.
How can we improve our situation here in Negros Oriental? First of all, a concerted effort by different entities need to take place. Government, media, schools, and businesses must be involved.
As it stands now, a poor girl from Balugo, Valencia, for example, excels in running but does not have the support to carry her on to a higher level. She sees no future, and simply gives up. What a shame! For one, especially from a poor family, to continue on his/her own, would be almost impossible to further their desire to compete.
Experience has shown that most athletes who compete at a higher level such as the Palaro come from families who have the means to continue competing.
Children from poor families simply don’t stand a chance. They don’t have access to experienced coaches. Even if they finish high school, moving on to college is out of the equation.
What we have observed here is that not a single high school or college in Dumaguete is actively involved in supporting a little boy/girl interested in sports but with no financial capability.
If you know of at least a single effort of clear support, show me. Let’s put talk to action. Let’s test people’s so-called faith. James Chapter 2 verse 26 of the Bible states, “Faith without works is dead.”
Some may say to support these poor children requires professionalism [from their part]. But we reward academics and other areas. Being ‘professional’ is being skillful in one’s field. These children are far from being professionals. Their sport is not their profession, and may never even be.
Schools in Cebu and other cities give more ample support than any of the schools do here.
I know of a particular student-runner from Dumaguete who is attending San Carlos University where there is a full scholarship which he would not have afforded.
When a school offers minimal assistance for athletes with huge potential, then you can also only expect minimal performance. In offering peanuts, you get monkeys.
Government also needs to be at the forefront in developing sports. Here in Negros Oriental, we have a sports stadium which is under-utilized except for joggers and walkers.
Some areas in the country give support and incentives to their athletes.
The media could also be actively-involved by recognizing athletes who perform in a higher level.
Lastly, businesses, along with schools, should be helping our athletes.
So much needs to be done, and there are a few who are trying to make a difference. I know them personally, and recognize that change is difficult especially when one is trying to modify past practices which have already proven unsuccesful.
If previous courses of action have been unfruitful, why not try something else?
Let the games begin. May the most prepared Province claim the very first championship of the NIRAA.
And hopefully, no “massacre” will have to take place.
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Author’s email: [email protected]
