By Leo Udtohan
GARCIA HERNANDEZ, Bohol- Sen. Francis "Tol" Tolentino has advised budding athletes in Bohol province to continue practicing and improving their skills in order to excel in their chosen sports.
"Sa sports o sa tunay na buhay dili ta angay mawad-an og paglaum. Sige lang practice kay darating ang araw maging champion kayo," said Tolentino during the opening of the Bohol Provincial Meet 2024 held in Garcia Hernandez on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 14.
Tolentino served as the guest of honor and speaker, who even affirmed his support for the Boholano athlethes.
He encouragee the crowd, especially local chief executives, to be inspired of Christmas as a season of hope.
"Sa ating mga mayors, ipakita natin na lahat ng problema ay puwedeng malampasan. Daghan kaayo og problema sa atong nasud, kaya tayo magdasal para lahat yan ay malalampasan," said Tolentino.
During the event, Tolentino gave cash gift to Jhul Ian Canolita, 2024 South East Asian Bronze Medalist in 2, 000 meter steeplechase and Emily Balunan, 2024 South East Asian Games Athlete in Athletics and Palarong Pambansa Bronze Medalist in 800 meter run. Canolita and Balunan are both from Garcia Hernandez town.
More than 4,500 young athletes, coaches, technical officials, heads of athletic delegations, division personnel, and local government officials joined in the parade and opening ceremony.
The athletic meet saw the congregation of six teams representing 1st Congressional District, 2nd Congressional District, 3rd Congressional District, Bohol Association of Catholic School (Bacs) Talibon and Tagbilaran and BIT-International College (BIT-IC).
At the event were Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado, Vice Gov. Tita Baja, Board Member Dionisio Joseph Balite, Garcia Hernandez Mayor Jess Baja, Valencia Mayor Neil Balite, Anda Mayor Angelina Simacio, Department of Education (DepEd) - Central Visayas director Salustiano Jimenez, among others.
Bohol Sports Academy
The first-ever Bohol Sports Academy, through the collaborative effort of the provincial government of Bohol and DepEd—Bohol Division, was also launched during the athletic meet.
Aumentado said following the victory of the Boholano athletes during the Batang Pinoy at Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the provincial government reiterated the importance of balancing the academics and sports performance of the student-athletes.
The governor said P2 million was given to buy equipment to be used for the trainings.
"Ang mga kabatan- onan makapili og unsa ilang sports aron malayo sa bisyo. Of course, kinahanglanon og partner mao ang DepEd ang napili (The youth can choose some sports to stay away from vice. Of course, a partner is needed, DepEd was chosen)," said Aumentado.
Fay Luarez, officer-in-charge of DepEd-Bohol, emphasized that the curriculum will be different from the normal curriculum to allot time for the athletes’ everyday practice without disrupting the class schedule.
"Atong goal is to produce champions diri sa Bohol. Maka-produce ta og world class athletes. Dili lang pang Bohol, pang international (Our goal is to produce champions here in Bohol. We can produce world class athletes. Not just Bohol, but internationally)," said Luarez.
As of now, there are six sports catered by various schools across the province through the coordination of the respective municipalities: athletics through the Garcia Hernandez Elementary School, boxing through Alicia National High School, and gymnastics through La Union National High School.
It also includes swimming through Bulilis Elementary and National High School, softball through Kagawasan Elementary School of Ubay, and taekwondo through San Miguel Central Elementary and Tech-Voc School.
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