Milo kicks off summer sports clinics

MANILA, Philippines -Already in existence for 28 years and still getting better, the Milo summer sports clinics kick off its 2010 edition starting this month with some of the country’s top professional trainers and coaches on hand for the 13 events on tap.

Lined up for April and May are clinics in basketball, taekwondo, football, swimming, volleyball, badminton, tennis, bowling, gymnastics, ice skating, table tennis, chess and karatedo.

Sponsored by Milo, the events are being conducted in coordination with top sports clubs and associations in the country, including the Philippine Taekwondo Association, the governing body for the sport in the country, and the Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training, assuring state-of-the-art training facilities while providing a nurturing environment for children looking to become the country’s next sports stars.

“The Milo summer sports clinics not only harness the children’s skills and capabilities but also develop their characters since a lot of values are learned through sports,” said Andrew Neri, who was joined by fellow Milo sports and events executive Lester Castillo in Tuesday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s UN Ave. branch.

Joining them in the public service program backed by Outlast Battery, Pagcor, Shakey’s and Accel are some of the country’s top trainers, including Women National Master Mila Emperado, Judith Brosula, head trainer and secretary-general of the Philippine Badminton Association, and Floyd Lobaton, Milo table tennis program director.

“Makakaasa po kayo na habang mayroong kabataan, andiyan lagi at nakasuporta ang Milo,” said Emperado, whose Checkmate clinic has been among the longest-running chess classes in the country.

Castillo said a total of 60,000 children took part in clinics held in 848 venues nationwide last year.

As the pioneer in sports camps in the country, the Milo summer sports clinics has spawned generations of kids who had blossomed to become superstar athletes in the mold of basketball idol Chris Tiu, Southeast Asian Games medalist Japoy Lizardo, former gymnastics star Bea Lucero and current RP No. 1 rhythmic gymnast Nica Calapatan.

Neri added these model athletes continue to inspire the new generation of youth to believe in their dreams, give their best in everything they do and encourage them to strive to become winners in sports and in life.