Grassroots sports

After five years, there would be some changes in the Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup this year.

I was in the meeting yesterday at Capitol to discuss ways to improve the tournament and it felt good to be around people, who also want to push volleyball not only for the elite athletes, but more importantly in the grassroots level.

Among the changes is the addition of reinforcements for all the teams, which can be deemed as one way also of uplifting the standards and to also level the playing field.

The meeting yesterday also served as some sort of an open forum for the organizing Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) and the coaches and team officials from the different towns and component cities.

The GUV Cup was first held in 2005 and has already produced several players, who have made it to the various school teams as varsity athletes and scholars.

There was also one thing that struck me yesterday when Undo Mosqueda, coach of Liloan, said that they practice even during the off season and encouraged the others to do so.

While the tournament itself is the main venue to test the skills of the players, it should also be used to encourage the players to develop their skills and this year, Gov. Garcia has asked that programs to push the sport in the grassroots should also be included.

Volleyball is lucky to have a patron in Gov. Garcia and I hope that other sports would also have their own in the near future.

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In order to push grassroots development, the programs need not be as big as the GUV Cup.

Many years ago, I used to go to Cabreros St. in Basak San Nicolas and also in Inayawan, which became havens for darts enthusiasts.

The places were not big, but each time there was a tournament, people were there and many have developed their skills in such activities.

There was also that range of the Sikatuna Shooters near the Green Mosque in barangay Zapatera, Cebu City, which I also frequented on many weekends to cover their competitions in precision shooting.

That range produced one of the country's top female shooters - Jacinth 'Gigi' Tiu-Amores, who had her father, Leonardo 'Dodong' Tiu competing with her in the tournaments.

In over 20 years as a sportswriter, I have come across many activities that truly encouraged development starting from the lowest level.

I'm sure similar things can be done in other places. With more private sector support, this can be done. Of course, holding an event doesn't automatically mean that the sponsors will come, you need to match them also with the activity.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to Dr. Sharon Rose Hormachuelos-Santos, Didit Fernandez, Joan Villahermosa-Gomez, Rhia de Pablo, and Rick Gabuya, who are all celebrating today.

Advance greetings go to my fellow Sambisig Lt. Col. Alex Rillera, commandant of the 3rd ATG and to Lagdy Villa-Segovia, who are turning a year older tomorrow.

More power to all of you!