Bear with the trouble for Cebu

Tomorrow’s Cobra Ironman 70.1 event has been bombarded by both good and bad press. 

Good, because it is an international event that has drawn hundreds of foreign entries and they are not here by their lonesome, but are with friends and family.

Good, due to the international media mileage Cebu is getting for hosting the prestigious event.

Good since this promotes health and fitness and there are many local participants, who will get a chance to experience competing in such event.

Unfortunately, there is also the bad press about road closures and disruption of the normal lives of people tomorrow.

I may be biased as I favor the holding of such competitions, but I also sincerely hope that the local officials of all areas involved, would take a more active role in informing their constituents about the magnitude of what is happening.

I’m very happy to see how the officials of Lapu-Lapu City, which is the main host, have gone all out to support the event. The Ironman 70.1 will be a chance to showcase another facet of Cebu, which is our ability to host major international sporting events that would use our roads.

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Road closures are part of many international events. What our leaders probably need to do is learn how cities like Paris deal with closing major thoroughfares during events like the Tour de France.

While there have been a lot of efforts to inform the people about the road closures, it seems that they have not been enough.

I just hope that there would be enough people to help the motorists find their way tomorrow.

In order for this to be successful, let us not only think of ourselves, but of Cebu as a whole.

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It was heart-warming to see the Kasibulan Football Program in Talisay City last Sunday.

Kids from 6 to 8 years old are the target participants of the program, which is mainly funded by Pagcor. The coach designated to handle the program in Cebu is Eleazar Toledo.

Officers of the Cebu Football Association who went there were general secretary Joey Herrera and directors Raffy Musni, Glenn Quisido and this deadline beater. I’m sure my fellow CFA board members felt the same way I did seeing how the kids enjoyed playing the game, which we also love so much.

It was quite touching to see how some of the kids played without shoes, but despite the lack of shoes, it did not diminish their desire watching how they participated in the drills.

The same program is going to be held in other areas and I hope that we won’t fail in the implementation of this project so we will continue to get support for this program.

I also hope that more fields will be made available in the different towns so the kids will have some place to play at. Football’s growth in the Philippines is very much dependent on the availability of fields.

I hope our officials are now also more open to allowing football games in the open areas of their towns.

Our dreams for football are slowly becoming a reality.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings to sports editor Manny Villaruel, who is turning a year older today.

Advance greetings to my life partner, Evelyn, as we celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary tomorrow.

Advance birthday greetings also to Gwen Reyes-Jasta, Sarah Olano, and Ricky Poca, who are celebrating tomorrow.

More power to all of you!  - THE FREEMAN