What sport should the Filipinos focus on?
This is a question raised in a forum of a local media network and I think it’s a good question to ask. It got varied responses, some negative, and the others are really great suggestions.
Someone brought up the issue of athletes playing just for the money. My two cents on the matter, I reckon as long as media plays a huge role in sports, the question about commercialism will always be raised. [End of thought]
As for my country, Philippines, competing globally, it will take a lot of organisation and cooperation from the sports industry, the government and, of course, the athletes. Everyone has to work together to bring the athlete and coaching competency to a world-class level.
Enters the financial aspect of the sport. Money is needed to send these athletes to international competitions so that they can get used to competing against other nations, and it’s also needed for training and relevelant education for coaches and athletes. If we are to talk of money in sports, common misconception is that it’s always about the athlete “selling out” but we all know it’s not always true. The development of these athletes will go further, hopefully even get to world-class level, if there is enough financial support to see them through the necessary steps to get there.
A good example is the recently set up National Unified Sports Program, which is patterned after the US Olympic Committee. Programs like this one will help us achieve the country’s objective of successfully competing in the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. And, hopefully, bag a gold or two.
And right now, competing in team sports isn’t our strongest point so focusing on other events like, Martial Arts [TaeKwonDo and Wushu] and Boxing are good options. But that’s not to say that we shouldn’t work on developing Football, Tennis, or Swimming. Perhaps we just need time and a little more support from the entire country.
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10 opinions for What sport should the Filipinos focus on?
Rico Mossesgeld
Sep 22, 2006 at 11:02 pm
Nyahahaha! If you think our Philippine Sports Governing bodies are gonna put politics aside, fuggedaboudit! :(
But time is great changer, so I may be mistaken. :)
Sasha Manuel
Sep 22, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Well, I’m trying to give them the benefit of the doubt, dawg. =P If there’s anything I believe in, it’s that anything IS possible. :)
Rico Mossesgeld
Sep 22, 2006 at 11:44 pm
True true, dawgette! :)
Sasha Manuel
Sep 23, 2006 at 12:12 am
Glad you agree, Rico. ;)
driver ng bayan
Sep 25, 2006 at 3:20 pm
If there is one team sport that I think we can develop in the country, I’d have to say it is indoor football or futsal (futbol de sala). I will, however, admit that I have a bias for futsal - it has been my sport of choice lately after all. That being said, I think it just might work.
It can be played on a pitch roughly the size of a typical basketball court - no need for wide open fields. On top of this, we don’t need six-footers - size isn’t as important as it is in basketball or volleyball. With five players per side on the pitch, a team can be composed of roughly 15 players - around the same as the typical basketball team.
I could go on about this, but I think I’ll just stop here.
Sasha Manuel
Sep 25, 2006 at 3:56 pm
That’s a good suggestion, bias or not. I think it’s better to consider other options and excel rather than settle for what’s popular and not grow. The sports industry and, yea, the rest of the Filipinos really need to stretch their choices a bit. Can you imagine the possibilities? :)
driver ng bayan
Sep 25, 2006 at 5:08 pm
I’m trying to think of what we (most Filipinos) are physically suited for, and football is really top-of-mind for me. I don’t count the individual sports simply because there always will be exceptional athletes who can shine in those sports.
Anyway, I hope football and futsal become a lot more popular in the country. Given a few years of development, I think we can excel in these sports.
Rico Mossesgeld
Sep 25, 2006 at 5:21 pm
Yeah, we should really choose a sport that plays to our strengths… look at Boxing. Since it based on weight classes, our small bodies don’t go against us.
Cool! Where do you guys play futsal?
driver ng bayan
Sep 25, 2006 at 6:35 pm
I second that. We need to pick sports that highlight our strengths. On that note, will Manila traffic help develop top racecar drivers.
I usually play futsal at UA&P with friends. We play with members of both women’s and men’s varsity teams, and with anybody who wants to play. We also sort of train with iRok, champions in the recent Adidas Cup and the Philippine women’s futsal team for a tournament in Thailand last year.
Do you play?
Rico Mossesgeld
Sep 26, 2006 at 4:55 am
I did play football when I was in high school, and a little in college. I need to lose weight if I’m to play again though, it’s a little hard for me to move already! :-o
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