In a bid to illuminate Region 12’s developments and strengthen the collegiate sports platform, Prof. Sammielyn Lavente, of Mindanao State University – General Santos City (MSU-GSC), highlighted SOCCSKSARGEN’s athletic achievements during the third day of the 2nd National Annual Tertiary Sports Leaders Congress held at the Hive Hotel and Convention Place in Diliman, Quezon City, Metro Manila, last Thursday, April 25.
Gathering leaders from public higher education institutions, universities, and colleges under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the three-day congress, spanning from April 23 to 25, aimed to discuss and empower the future of sports leadership in tertiary institutions to refine each’s sports management and capability nationwide.
During the third day, each region presented their notable attainments. Region 12, with Prof. Lavente’s initiative, employed the idea of reorganizing the Sports Director Council of Tertiary Education, aiming to optimize existing structures and elevate the region's sporting capabilities.
The establishment of the regional assembly, congresses, and organizational body of technical officials were also pointed out by Prof. Lavente to hasten the reiteration of information between sports coordinators and enhance the region’s coaches and trainers.
Efforts will focus on enhancing sports development initiatives across tertiary schools in the region, with a particular emphasis on profiling coaches and trainers and fostering a culture of excellence. Moreover, plans are underway to mainstream a media campaign, increase awareness, and garner community support for local sports events.
“We are trying to emphasize the local campaigning of sports programs so everybody is aware of what is happening. Awareness is important in the sporting world,” Prof. Lavente emphasized in advocating media outreach. “May it be the competition, or the story of our athletes, or locally na nakikita sa TV or sa radio para malaman [ng nakakarami] kung anu-ano ang mga events ng bawat paaralan.”
With intentions for long-term athlete development, programs will be organized in collaboration with local government units, including regional sports competitions and sports for peace initiatives such as the regions’ state universities and private colleges by conducting friendship games for future regional meets.
Furthermore, the launch of a student-athlete congress will provide a platform for student athletes to contribute to sports development initiatives and promote the values of sports in engaging with peace.
Lastly, a successful student athlete's career pathway will be established through regular sports clinics, wellness activities, and annual certification programs for coaches and trainers with partnerships with the National Sports Association (NSA).
Regions 4-A, 6, 9, 10, 11, and BARMM also showcased their respective regional outputs discussing their accomplishments within the sports domain.
Prior to output presentation, key resolutions were presented in the congress, one was the constitution of a National and Regional Sports Council while the other was the request of allocation of funds to support the National Tertiary Sports Congress, ensuring its continuity and impact on Philippine HEIs for a brighter future in tertiary sports development.
As the congress approaches end, CHED Executive Director IV, Atty. Cinderella Filipina S. Benitez-Jaro pointed out CHED’s efforts in dedicating time and resources to ascent the sports program of the higher education sector in her closing remarks.
Other than the sports discipline, Atty. Benitez-Jaro mentioned CHED’s objective of producing graduates who are locally responsive, globally competitive and lifelong learners equipped with corresponding overall skills.
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