TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Mayor Darwin Estrañero, Local Youth Development Officer G. Gkachay Claver, and members of the committee gathered to discuss what the city government would do to support the students/players and the coaches of the 4 districts of the city in advance of the next city sports meet.
Claver asserts that having a successful sports team is one indication that a city’s economy is doing well.
Unfortunately, according to Claver, the Department of Education (DepEd) came up with arnis, dancing sports, athletics, sepak takraw, and swimming as the priority sports that would be featured in the games after hearing that the city’s budget had been cut.
In light of the ongoing post-pandemic situation and the constrained financial resources, Claver reasoned that he and DepEd should steer clear of sporting events that would draw large audiences, such as those involving other team sports like basketball, soccer, baseball, and the like.
However, Claver added that it is up to the city government to choose which sports they want to include together with the 6 priority sports.
“Syempre masapul tayu agkaltas dadduma nga sports gapu ta limited funds ken jay availability iti sports facilities tayu,” he said.
Estrañero went on to say that they will do their best to include as many games as possible in order to be fair to the students and players.
The chief executive further stated that the city would provide winning athletes with personalized medals and trophies as a means of encouraging them to participate on a higher level, beginning with provincial sports and moving up.
In order to demonstrate the city government’s support, according to Estrañero, a plan to build a 4 hectare sports complex with amenities for both indoor and outdoor sports is currently underway. This will allow student athletes to compete to the best of their abilities in the near future.
