Realistic requests

While we are still relishing the success of the Philippine team in the Asean Foot-ball Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup, I hope that beyond the exchange of high fives, the leaders of the various football organizations would also seriously look into how this can be used to push for more government support.

Having sat in the Cebu City Sports Commission for the past 12 years, I have ob-served that many organizations, who seek the help of government, think that they can ask for anything. When they are turned down, because what they asked for is too much, they get angry and complain that government has done nothing.

While there is nothing wrong about laying down your dreams and your vision, there must also be some sense of being in touch with reality if you hope to get something from government.

Many times I have heard of people complain how come the City of Cebu has not allowed the use of the vast tracts of land at the South Road Properties (SRP) for a field where football and other outdoor games can be played.

The place may be ideal, but we must also bear in mind that the SRP wasn't built for the purpose of having land for sports only, it is a business enterprise.

Some locations seem ideal to set up a field, but when a business entity becomes interested in the land, we have to vacate it and all the money spent to put up the field will go to waste.

There are also those who seek assistance for events that are happening in the next few weeks making it very difficult for government to use its resources unless whoever is in charge would want to face cases in court for violations of government rules and regula-tions.

Private sector and government partnership means helping each other grow by un-derstanding each other's limitations and capabilities.

When you ask for support and hope to get a positive feedback, do a little research or maybe simply ask around what things can be given and what can't be.

This is the same for those who organize events and think that by sending out so-licitation letters, there are already sure that they will get enough funds to pay the bills. Life's not that easy.

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Class of 1985 of Sacred Heart School for Boys (now SHS-Ateneo de Cebu) will be holding the Eagles Golf Tournament tomorrow at the Cebu Country Club.

This is a three-man team event where each squad must have at least one member, who is an alumnus of the school.

This will be an 18-hole stroke play event with several prizes at stake for a hole-in-one - a Zongshen motorcycle on number 3, a Toyota Vios 1.3J on the 5th, a Mazda BT-50 pick-up on the 13th and a studio-type condominium unit at Residencia Edades.

A Skygo motorcycle is at stake for an eagle on any hole and will be raffled off if not won.

Tournament fee is P7,500 per team.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to The Freeman's hardworking City Hall reporter Jessica Ann Pareja, Chona Pereyra-Escalante, Atty. Glynda Bathan-Baterina, and Apas barangay captain Ramil Ayuman, who are all celebrating today.

Advance greetings go to my fellow sports columnist Bobby Motus, Waterfront Airport Hotel's Shelley Arciaga, and Janice Tangub, who are turning a year older tomor-row.

More power to all of you!