Angara eyes HS sports education

MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara pushed for sports development in the country saying that it’s a key ingredient in national development and nation-building.

He also called for a change in priorities on sports to be developed and specifically mentioned football, baseball and surfing.

Speaking to thousands of athletes competing for the 2010 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association  Region III Olympics (SCUAA-III) here Sunday, Angara said the country’s golden age in sports was in the 1930s.

“Kailangang alagaan natin ang ating mga atleta sapagkat ang golden age natin sa sports ay noon pang 1930s in terms of medal,” said Angara, the son of Senator Edgardo Angara from Baler, Aurora.

The young Angara stressed that sports is a key ingredient in national development and nation-building.

He said, “malapit ang kaugnayan ng pagsulong ng bansa sa pangingibabaw nito sa sports dahil hindi lamang mental at physical health ang pinasisigla nito.”

He said that sports contribute to the development of virtues needed for nation-building.

This includes being a good sport, teamwork, self discipline, honesty, self control, patience and tolerance.

As a lawmaker, he said that he filed a bill in Congress for the establishment of Philippine High School for Sports, where athlete’s development will be given priority.

With regards to current sports development program of the country, Angara proposed a paradigm shift on sports to be developed.

He specifically mentioned football, baseball, and surfing.

“Football is the number one sports in the world, at kailan lang ay ipinakita ng mga Pilipino ang kakayahan ng talunin ng ating mga atleta ang Vietnam sa elimination round ng Suzuki Cup,” he said.

He also batted for surfing noting that it will greatly contribute to country’s tourism industry.

As this developed, the Bulacan State University (BulSU) Gold Gears is defending its crown as overall champion in the annual SCUAA Olympics.

For years, the Gold Gears has been ruling almost all events in the annual Olympics, particularly in swimming and athletic events.

Dr. Mariano de Jesus, the president of BulSU, told The STAR that their year-round sports program has been paying off.

“Our athletes do not train for the certain competitions alone, they trail all year round,” he said in explaining their dominance of the SCUAA in the last 14 years.