Sports: Negros, a Potential Sports Hub
Sometimes, when we go somewhere, we forget our own place which has potential as
much as when we see other places for a certain business or sports venues. I was
in Sipalay City for the nth time last Saturday with a group of mediamen who
covered the 3rd National Age Group Triathlon competition. First, I had a short
talk with the management of Artistic Diving Resort in Barangay 4, where we
stayed overnight and the one who managed the resort said, the place was owned by
their family sold cheap to a foreign national and when they were developed into
a resort, they were sorry to see its development. But she admitted for lack of
resources which forced them to sell the property, a hilly portion near the
beach.
This is one example I would like to say in sport events. In sports, we later
discover we have the same facilities or venues like in any other place in the
country. Sipalay for example, we found the best venue for triathlon after that
Saturday event. No less than Governor Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr., is urging
Negrenses to support the sports and claimed to improve the place for other
sports events. He is urging the city government to improve its facilities as he
found the place best than CamSur (Camarines Sur) where several national
triathlon events were held. Sipalay is also best suited for beach volleyball,
not yet held in the place, unlike in a nearby town of Cauayan.
The good Governor is pushing the province as sports tourism hub not only in
Western Visayas but in the entire country as hidden venues for any sports event
could be found here in many parts of the province. It only needs a push for
proper identification based on a certain sports it will host.
Sipalay is becoming a developed city in the south. There were already several
beach resorts in the city where visitors opt to stay overnight. The city has
areas mostly near the seashore and near the mountain. White sand beaches and
some places are best for diving and snorkeling and also have plenty of
underwater reefs.
***
Governor Marañon is optimistic to win the hosting of 2013 Palarong Pambansa. The
Province already hosted thrice the Palarong Pambansa and the last was in 2000
which was the Centennial Palaro. Thirteen years is already a long time for
Negros Occidental to host the Department of Education-run grassroots sports
development program. It is high time we will again host the annual sports
conclave as we have better facilities compared to other places in the Visayas
area. Cebu is also bidding to host the Palarong Pambansa. In fact, they are
trying to move heaven and earth to get the nod of those who are responsible in
making the decision to award the hosting. But, we have the best chance to win if
you find it in the DepEd website that 2013 Palaro is already on hold for Negros
Occidental. The good governor needs the push to make good in getting the bids
done with its potential presenters during the evaluation to convince the
committee to award the hosting to our province.
***
Our presence in Sipalay to cover the triathlon is just like any other coverage
we make in the past in sports activities. Sometimes, it is more of that but one
thing we notice, we are working together, going any place together, eating
together and we should always look for those who are not yet present within the
group. This should be remembered by those who are facilitating the event or
coordinating with a coverage team that all are accounted for. Last Saturday, I
had a bad day which did not happen for me for several years of coverage in
sports competitions. As human being, we adhere to forgive those who are guilty
of the mess and not blaming anyone. It is but an outburst after all and a lesson
to learn to correct such a mess the next time it happens or if there is coverage
in the future. Don’t leave your companions and be sure to account for them every
time wherever you go.
In the battlefield, it will cost their lives or your life if you can’t account
for your men.Belated birthday greetings to our Editor-in-Chief and President Sir
Pert Toga.*
