Mandaue mulls inclusion of "gateball" in P.E. as subject

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City plans to add the sport "gateball" as a subject in physical education for high school students.

The city is now planning to incorporate the sport in physical education in the city's public schools.

The DepEd division superintendent said she will meet with school sports directors over the city’s plan to include the gateball in P.E.

The city has its own gateball court, located under the Marcelo Fernan Bridge.

It was learned from Yoshihiko Ono, a member of the Japan Gateball Union, that the Philippines has only two gateball courts, one in Makati City and one in Mandaue City.

However, the gateball court in Mandaue is considered as a conducive one because players could not feel the heat of the sun.

The city government has also built comfort rooms for players.

Ono together with her interpreter Donna Me Feriol is now in Mandaue City to train more gateball referees in preparation for the Gateball Open tournament in the city next month while another International Gateball competition will be held in the city in December.

Recently, the Mandaue-Japan Gateball Union elected its officials and the new president is Jesus "Boy" Barz. (FREEMAN)