Our sports center

I would have wanted to start today’s column about how happy I am to see the new rubberized track and the improvements at the Cebu City Sports Center, but there was very sad news that came even before my day ended.

My maternal grandfather, Silverio Espina Lebumfacil, has passed on late Monday night at his home in Toledo City and I would like to ask the pious readers to say a prayer for the eternal repose of his soul.

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Last Saturday I wrote about how we must all do our share to maintain the Cebu City Sports Center (not Complex).

This sports facility, which is now hosting the PRISAA National Meet, just got a new rubberized track to replace the old one.

It might take another 18 years to get a new rubberized track again, so let us make sure that we would make the best use of what we have.

The CCSC has been regarded as the best utilized sports facility among those built around the country for the hosts of the Palarong Pambansa.

I remember that there was some sort of an argument as the where the facility should be built.

Many argued that building the facility at the place where the old Abellana National School track oval was located was not good. Among the arguments was that the place was too small and the sports center could get crowded.

While I was also unsure at the time if the decision to build the sports center where it is now was the right thing to do, I am glad that the leaders then decided to build it at the site of the old ANS track oval and grandstand.

After the Palarong Pambansa in 1994, when the facility was opened to the general public to cater to various athletic endeavors, the CCSC, if it were a movie, was a box office hit.

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There are still much that can be done to make the place better like the building for gymnastics and martial arts that has long been in the drawing board and the home of the Cebu Sports Hall of Fame that is yet to be made.

While not all that we desire can immediately be granted, we must make sure that we take care of what we have.

Cleanliness is very important to help preserve our sports center, so make sure that you would do your share.

Yes, you pay an amount to get into the facility and use it, but that does not give you the right to just trash it.

Ricky Ballesteros, the manager of the sports facility, also told me of their problem with vandals.

I hope that we can help watch out for these people and have them jailed if necessary so they would learn a lesson about taking good care of facilities.

Our government may not be the best, but having the Cebu City Sports Center has given us Cebuanos the edge in terms of sports development. Life’s not perfect, but that doesn’t mean we should also care less.

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MILESTONES: I may have started today’s column on a sad note, but allow me to once again end it with felicitations to friends and family celebrating milestones in life.

Belated greetings to Xenia Prieto-Balir, who turned a year older last Monday. The same goes to those who celebrated yesterday like Jay Yumang, Garry Yusingco, and Locelle Gabunada.

Today’s greetings go to My buddy Lord Seno, CEVA President Jun San Juan, The Freeman’s Gregg Rubio, Rommel Ocampo, and Amparo Osmeña.

More power to all of you