Rama: Character a must for CVIRAA athletes

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City athletes will not be allowed to join any sports competitions without them first being taught values formation and character building.

“No one will be allowed to compete without being complete, and being complete is bringing our athletes to have not only the intelligence, the skills but the heart. The heart can bring and carry the character,” Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said.

Rama said this before the sports commission and school board during the yesterday’s meeting for the upcoming Central Visayas Regional Athletics Association meet from December 1 to 6.

“I was very clear to the board and I’d like to reiterate that our athletes will not be allowed to join any competitions, without first exposing our athletes to clinic, especially character building and value formation,” Rama said.

Rama reminded the board that they should not give so much emphasis on achieving gold medals in competitions, but rather to be able to contribute in nation building through character formation.

Rama said gold medals and other honors are not that important compared to character as a great weapon to nation building.

“Because it has always been my position that medal or gold would not be enough for aspiration, what would be the most important aspect… our athletes would be able to develop character as it’s needed for nation building,” Rama said, adding that they should let sports be the means for nation building.

Present during the meeting were Richie Garcia, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission; Carmelita Dulangon, DepEd7 regional director; Councilor Jose Daluz III, chairman of the Local School Board and other stakeholders.  (FREEMAN)