577 youths complete PNP sports program

Hundreds of young sports enthusiasts will cap a month-long Philippine National Police (PNP) sports training program with a graduation ceremony at the PNP gymnasium today.

Chief Superintendent Geary Barias, head of the PNP-Headquarters Support Service (HSS), said a total of 577 youths with ages ranging from seven to 20 will receive their certificates for the various sports activities including aikido, arnis, basketball, karate-do, table tennis and lawn tennis. The PNP’s summer sports program kicked off last May 18.

A total of 215 students received their certificates of attendance for a swimming course last April 13.

Some 20 barangay tanods from Cembo, Makati City also finished a course on how to handle probaton (wooden sticks) which was included in this year’s summer program as part of the PNP’s objectives to promote sports and sportsmanship among dependents of policemen and other civilian participants.

"This is part of our annual program. We do this every year for free to the dependents of bonafide PNP personnel to provide the youth with productive activities during summer vacation," said Senior Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome, PNP-HSS chief for directorial staff.

Chief Superintendent Delfin Genio Jr., deputy chief of the PNP Directorate for Human Resources and Doctrine Development (HRDD), will attend the 9 a.m. graduation rites at the PNP gymnasium.

As part of the PNP’s year-long commitment to promote its personnel’s physical upbringing, Bartolome said the they will also hold an inter-unit sportsfest on June 21, which will be participated by all units based at the PNP Headquarters in Camp Crame.