San Juan eyeing to be NCR sports capital

MANILA, Philippines – The city of San Juan could be the new sports capital in the National Capital Region.

Plans are already afoot in engaging the youth especially students from the public schools in a comprehensive sports program that would invest in land and infrastracture, a multi-level sports complex as well as various sports equipment and establishing inter-barangay multi-sports events.

"We are currently developing a comprehensive sports program that would mine the athletic talents of San Juaneños, the next Manny Pacquiao and James Yap could be among them – to be able to take them to the Palarong Pambansa, the Southeast and Asian games, and eventually to the Olympics!” said San Juan Vice Mayor Francis Zamora, a former athlete himself running for the Mayoral post this local election in May.

Zamora said he is eyeing to focus not just in indoor and beach volleyball, futsal, badminton, basketball, taekwondo, boxing and running but also in promoting physical fitness in general for the whole of San Juan.

Under his leadership, NBA star Rajon Rondo, who was with the Boston Celtics then before he jumped from the Dallas Mavericks and currently the Sacramento Kings, to give an inspirational message to poor kids while helping paint a rusty basketball court in the city.

Zamora was also responsible in giving children clinics that were attended by current and former PBA stars James Yap, Gary David, Jeff Chan, Paul Lee, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, Japeth Aguilar, Dondon Hontiveros, Don Allado, Renren Ritualo, Joseph Yeo, Rico Maeirhofer, Ryan Arana and Danny Ildefonso among others.

"Inspiring the young to consider sports as an avenue for them to direct their energies and passions instead of involvement in juvenile crimes and drugs ultimately is the goal of the local government," said Zamora.

The comprehensive sports program is citywide, which means that no barangay and public school will be left behind as there will be a sports center for every barangay and public school to give equal opportunity for everyone.

“Yes, we have to start them young. This will be our investment for the future. When our young people are busy with sports, they become better citizens. I anticipate a drop in juvenile delinquency and drug abuse cases.” said Zamora, who is also the Vice Chairman of the City’s Peace and Order and Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.