In a groundbreaking initiative to elevate athletic representation in campus governance, the Supreme Student Council (SSC) of Mindanao State University- General Santos City, in collaboration with the Sports Development Office (SDO), hosted the inaugural General Assembly for the Student Development Group (SDG), pioneering a precedent by giving athletes a formal forum to express their concerns and take part in important council decision-making processes, held at the Office of Student Affairs, December, 4.
With athletes, coaches, and faculty gathered to debate important topics like equitable incentives and improved training facilities, the assembly underscored the critical role that representation plays in promoting inclusion and empowerment. It also detailed intentions to grant an honorary ex-officio position in the council to an SDG representative next semester, with the long-term objective of obtaining official organization status in the upcoming academic year to collect fees and implement development programs.
© SSC MSU-General Santos
Foundations of the Initiative
Its proponent, Ma. Angela Roselle P. Torbolento, SSC Internal and External Affairs Committee Head, articulated the project's rationale, emphasizing its foundation rooted in MSU-GenSan’s performance in Mindanao State University System Athletic Association Unity Games (MSUSAA). "Sa MSUSAA nakita gyud na MSU-GenSan is a powerhouse of sports and hindi lang siya basta nakita, but with recognition from the system," Torbolento explained.
As a student, she also noted that varsity athletes receive little publicity outside of the campus and are only seen during intramurals. "Imagine makita lang nato sila every intramural event and after that kay mag kuha silag varsity athletes, then unsa mahitabo sa ilaha after?" she questioned.
Torbolento conveyed her deep gratitude to the SDO for their unwavering support in encouraging them to take this action. To stabilize the organization, she plans to meet with the SDO, SDG officers, and chosen chairpersons from each college after this assembly, with the goal of preparing the required CBL and other paperwork for the forthcoming academic year's recognition procedure.
From the Athletes’ Perspective
During the event, many athletes expressed concerns about the difficulties they encountered and the improvements they would want to see in the future. To address the growing financial concerns for student-athletes, Janis Pinque, a member of the women’s basketball team, proposed that they should consider collecting fees from students after the organization is formally established the next year. Similarly, Mearylyne Vargas shared her thoughts, stating “After this assembly, maghimo gyud mi'g pamaagi aron maka sturya mi sa admin, para sana mas daghan pang athletes ang maka-participate sa regional ug national games."
The university's baseball team's Earl Camangyan stated his dissatisfaction with the lack of support in terms of equipment and incentives that may improve performance and confidence, as well as their limited visibility outside of the institution. He stresses that to guarantee that athletes can really participate, he would want to see a budget allocated for equipment, such as for sporting events and athletic meets, and even for transportation.
Also, athletics player Jinggo Plarisan also underscored the difficulties of their sport, namely the condition of their training facilities. "Ang problem namin sa athletics is wala kaming magandang track and field," he explained. He expressed his hope that the school would prioritize improving communication with the sports complex, emphasizing their challenges of using secondhand shoes, enduring 80 kilometers of weekly training, and practicing on a field riddled with rocks and sand, which often led to injuries.
Hope for Sustainability
Professor Sammielyn Lavente, the current SDO Director, conveyed that the initiative was one of the most commendable efforts from the SSC, emphasizing that for many years, this administration was the first to truly prioritize the well-being of student-athletes. The SDO expressed optimism that the initiative would continue and be fully realized, expressing their willingness to support its progress through this platform. Furthermore, Prof. Lavente shared her long-standing hope that the SSC or future administrations would recognize the challenges faced by athletes and provide the necessary support to address them.
"We know naman athletes ang representation for our school not just in academe but also as ambassadors of peace, working through sports in the community," she explained. The SDO Director also asserted that one of the resolutions she is looking forward to is clarity of the budget allocation for student-athletes, particularly for the varsity team, pointing out that what has occurred thus far has merely been a general appropriation, with no specific amount set out for athletes.
The SSC's successful hosting of the SDG assembly marks a landmark event for MSU-Gensan student-athletes, laying the foundation for a more inclusive future by addressing their concerns, advocating for improved representation, and implementing practical reforms. The addition of an honorary ex-officio seat for student-athletes to the council is a promising step toward prioritizing their voices and welfare, and as the project progresses, the hope for sustained support and the formalization of the athletic community grows, signaling a positive shift on campus.
Comments