Aside from tablets, computers and other modern technologies, we all know that most of the teenagers today enjoy playing inside the basketball court, kicking in the soccer field and swimming in the pool. Getting into sports gives someone an opportunity to go out and socialize. Sports activities can also teach us on how to interact and work as a team which is something they will find useful later in life. That’s why, it is not advisable for children and teens to be too absorbed in these modern technologies because these can lead to being content in lonesomeness and ultimately hinder the chance to develop their social skills. Team sports are a great way for teenagers to get out of the house, get moving, and make friends. Moreover, skills in different sports may open doors to big opportunities—let us say for example, a college scholarship.
Last May 10, 2017, the STEP UP Project in partnership with Iloilo Sports Development and Management Office and the Local Government Unit of Anilao conducted Pahampang 2017: Sports Clinic on Basketball and Volleyball. The event was held in the Anilao Gymnasium and was delivered by the most skilled coaches in Iloilo. Aside from the skills and sports techniques they shared with the teens, they also provided the sports equipment to be used such as basketball, volleyball, and nets to aid the training. The main goal of the sports is to help build the teen’s confidence and to develop teamwork within themselves and goal-settings in life.
In order to have an organized list of participants, pre-registration forms for both sports were given in the barangay one day before the sports clinic. As part of their responsibility, the newly –elected peer helpers of Barangay Cag-an were assigned to invite and encourage the teens to participate in the activity. Surprisingly, they completed the list within a few hours. Thus, it has become easy for the team to estimate the food to be prepared and this simply shows how dedicated and committed the peer helpers are in the project. The number of participants for each sports area was limited into 25 teens only for everyone to focus in the training. And most of the boy participants enlisted in Basketball while girls choose to join and play a game in Volleyball. Since they are all coming from Barangay Cag-an and the venue was in Poblacion of Anilao, we transported them using the Anilao LGU’s public transportation which was approved and supported by their Municipal Mayor Nathalie Ann Debuque.
Meanwhile on the day of the sports event, a short program was held in order to formally open the training and to welcome the participants and coaches involved. After praying and singing of the National Anthem, the sports clinic was officially started. A five-minute warm-up exercise was given first to the participants before the training proper started. All were very energetic and enthusiastic to learn new techniques in Basketball and Volleyball. They all looked fantastic with all their sporty attires, and colorful jerseys. It can be seen in their faces that they have been waiting to join the training in fact they were really excited that day. From the balls simultaneously dribbling in the basketball court to the flying balls in the volleyball court, all participants focused and were paying attention to their respective coaches. It had been tiring but for most of them, it was fun and worth it.
After teaching some basic skills, a mini-tournament was held between the participants of each sports to check if they have learned and appropriately apply it to the actual game. But before that, a sumptuous lunch sponsored by Transcom was given to them in order to re-energize and recharge them for the game in the afternoon. Although most of them are first-timers in playing the game, the participants still managed to have a good and close-fight game. Cheers from their teammates motivated them to win the game.
Although the whole day activity was tiring and exhausting, that day was one of the most unforgettable and is worth it. Playing sports helps a person stay in shape, teaches you how to organize your time, boosts friendships, and builds relationships with your peers and adults. Through athletics, you gain skills that can best be acquired on a court, track, or field. While teens take part in any number of activities as they grow up, sports often take center stage in a teen’s life. Many teens play sports to bond with friends. Others do so because they enjoy the exercise. Sports can also turn into college scholarships or careers for some teens. In addition, sports help teens get more physical activity, helping to keep their bodies healthy. Aside from that, participating in sports helps build leadership skills. Sports teams give you an opportunity to surround yourself with competitive people and role models, and learn from them both. You can demonstrate your own leadership through team captainships and individual actions to improve your team's success. From the teens to the organizers, we still managed to smile even though sweats and pains are covering our bodies. Pahampang 2017 is just one of the small steps of The STEP UP Project to empower the teens and to build their characters and self-confidence.
Stepping Up for Teens through Sports Training!