ArchivesMay 2013Negros Athletic Association: Template for public-private partnership

Negros Athletic Association: Template for public-private partnership

-

- Advertisment -spot_img

In a meeting held May 22 at the Foundation University Institute of Youth Sports for Peace, provincial sports consultant Glen Badon revealed that one reason for the overwhelming number of people voting for Governor-elect Roel Degamo was his ardent love for sports, manifested by his support for the hosting of three consecutive national sporting events: the Palarong Batang Pinoy in 2011, the Philippine National Games in 2012, and the recently-concluded Palarong Pambansa last April.

“One reason we believe why the Governor won handily was his support for sports so it is anticipated that the Province will continue to consider sports as a priority concern, and the Negros Athletic Association (NAA) could be a perfect example of the government’s public-private partnership program,” said Badon.

Some people have noted that one of the characteristics of a University Town is a passion for sports. This observation could be justified by practices among the Ivy League, an athletic conference composed of sports teams from eight private institutions of higher education in the northeastern part of the US: Brown University (Rhode Island), Columbia University and Cornell University (New York), Dartmouth College (New Hampshire), Harvard University (Massachusetts), Princeton University and Yale University (New Jersey), and University of Pennsylvania.

The Ivy League became official after the formation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)in 1954, although sporting competitions among the members started as early as 1852 (regatta, Harvard vs. Yale); 1859 (baseball, Williams vs. Amherst); 1872 (football, Harvard-Yale-Princeton); and in 1895 (hockey, Harvard vs. Brown).

In 1924, Filipino sports leaders who studied in the US, organized our country’s own NCAA, which subsequently became the precursor of the current University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

The NCAA and the UAAP are the premier athletic conferences composed of renowned academic institutions in Metro Manila.

The formation of the NAA here in the Province is conceived along these athletic leagues to be composed of the academic institutions in Negros Oriental–and at some future period, to encompass the entire Negros island.

The NAA is a partnership, initially among academic institutions, and subsequently to include sports clubs in Negros Oriental as well as sports clubs formed within the institutions themselves which are not part of the varsity program, envisioned to pursue a sweeping reformation campaign through the medium of sports competition, to counteract malpractices in Philippine sports such as cheating, violence, substance abuse, disrespect for authority, and in its place promote appreciation for academic scholarship, observance of rules and regulations, friendship and camaraderie, care for the environment, and peace.

Its goals are summarized:

1. To institutionalize an athletic league that will pursue the vision, mission and goals stated above characterized by a sustainable and professionally managed sports competition programs as a component of the quality and wholistic educational experiences of children and youth for their development and formation.

2. To prescribe schedule of activities and insure that this is implemented in accordance with standards of professional management.

3.To generate resources that will sustain the growth and development of the Association.

4. To insure that the benefits accruing from the program are shared equitably among the members in accordance with the ethics of human enterprises.

5. To establish a secretariat which will a) secure the documents that shall give the NAA a legal and juridical status for it to transact business as provided by Law; b) prepare the program of activities and overseer its management in consultation with the members; c) undertake the sourcing of funds and resources to implement the program; and d) coordinate, monitor, evaluate, and provide regular reports to the members.

Membership in the NAA requires compliance:

1. A member must participate in at least two sports: a) Basketball (all levels);b) Volleyball (high school and college); c) Football (all levels); d) Futsal (all levels); e) Sepak Takraw (high school and college); f) others like swimming and athletics.

2. Pay the prescribed institutional dues and membership fees of the athletes;

3. Comply with academic requirements. One requirement of the NAA is to provide full support to the athletes so that they will earn a college degree. However, for its initial year of operation, the strict academic requirements will be waived, provided that in the academic year 2014-2015, stricter academic standards will be imposed.

Foundation University will serve as the secretariat of NAA in its initial operations. To ensure efficient management and sustainability, the following system has been put in place: 1. Maintenance of a NAA website. 2. A data base for storing information pertaining to athletes, officiating officials and other information. 3. Online communication system. 4. Standard equipment such as timing devices, goals, sound system, canopies for outdoor events. 5. Accredited and regularly updated officiating officials. Only officiating officials who are accredited and are card-bearing members of the Samahang Basketbolista ng Pilipinas will officiate the basketball tournaments. 6. Fixed schedules of activities. 7. Media coverage and outlet. 8. Experienced marketing team 9.Participative management. The NAA Board, composed of school officials with a rank not lower than a Vice President or its equivalent, will constitute the policy-making body that approves programs and projects. 10. Secretariat, staffed with friendly and experienced personnel, and an office with standard communication lines.

The inaugural program of NAA for the school year 2013-2014 will start with the Basketball Conference scheduled on July 27 at the Lamberto Macias Sports & Cultural Center. Subsequent schedules for other sports will be drawn up later in consultation with the NAA members.

Twelve academic institutions have so far expressed their intention to become members of NAA: ABC Learning Center, Asian College (formerly ACSAT), Catherina Cittadini-St. Louis School, Colegio de Sta. Catalina de Alejandria, Foundation University, Holy Cross High School, Negros Maritime College Foundation Inc., Negros Oriental State University, Ramon Teves Pastor Memorial High School-Dumaguete Science High School, Silliman University, St. Louis Don Bosco, and St. Paul University

Re-elected Mayor Chiquiting Sagarbarria has pledged to FU Vice President Dean Sinco, who conceived the NAA more than a decade ago, the full support of the City of Dumaguete.

Thus, with the commitment of support given by Governor Degamo and Mayor Sagarbarria, NAA will be an example of how government and the private sector could pursue a sports initiative that will provide opportunities for children and youth to benefit from participation in a professionally-managed and institutionalized sports program in Negros Oriental.

(Back to MetroPost HOME PAGE)

Previous article
Next article

Latest news

City’s 2025 budget still hanging

    “It will not happen again. We made the mistake before. We will not make the same mistake again.” This was...

Chinese spy nabbed in Dumaguete

    The National Bureau of Investigation and the Armed Forces of the Philippines presented in Manila Thursday an alleged Chinese...

Cause for concern

    The capture of a suspected Chinese spy last week right here in Dumaguete City continues to be the talk...

5 dolphins die in stranding

    Five dolphins died in Bais City, following a mass stranding in Bais Bay, Negros Oriental. Authorities suspect the dolphins died...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

2000 Canlaon evacuees to get TUPAD aid

    More than 2,000 displaced residents from Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, have been identified as beneficiaries of the government’s Tulong...

Comelec to hold candidates’ fora

    The Commission on Elections is organizing a forum for Negros Oriental candidates in the May 12 national and local...

Must read

City’s 2025 budget still hanging

    “It will not happen again. We made the mistake...

Chinese spy nabbed in Dumaguete

    The National Bureau of Investigation and the Armed Forces...
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you