LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Governor Amado “Pogi” I. Espino, III urged school officials and teachers to hone not only the raw talent, but also the character of budding athletes.
The provincial chief executive made the remark as he spoke to hundreds of athletic coordinators from different regions of Luzon during the second batch of the National Accreditation Course for Department of Education’s (DepEd) Sports Officiating Officials last January 15-17 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center, Capitol Complex here.
“You are here to guide the youth with sound principles and help them shape their character. I believe you are here to reaffirm your commitment to guide the next generation of Filipinos, our next leaders in the province, in the Philippines,” he said.
The governor also announced the establishment of the Sports Academy of Pangasinan later this month.
“The sole purpose of this program is to find the strongest, fastest and most talented Pangasinan youth in the villages where there are no adequate support for them to maximize their potentials,” he bared.
He said that he is more than happy to start the program, which was already planned for implementation during the watch of his predecessor, now Congressman Amado T. Espino, Jr.
As a sports enthusiast himself, Gov. Espino believed that the competitive games can equip the youth with discipline, camaraderie, sportsmanship and courage which are necessary factors to prevail in daily life.
“I know that sports represent the reality in life. Sports always pit us against adversaries and bring out the best in us,” the governor said.
The governor pledged to never cease supporting education, sports and youth development initiatives in the province—a legacy he revealed he had inherited from his father and his grandfather Amado Espino, Sr., who was a teacher by profession.
He also pleaded to educators, teachers and school athletic officials to lend their help in molding the next generation to be the next leaders of the province and country.
Present during the accreditation were DepEd Central Office School Sports Division Chief Cesar Abalon, School Sports Division Assistant Chief Marivic Tolitol, with DepEd Regional Director Alma Ruby Torio and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Regional Director Edilberto Abalos.
First batch of the accreditation was held last January 5-8 at the Sison Auditorium.
By Dexter A. See