New Year wishes

CEBU – Happy New Year everyone!

I wish that you will all welcome 2009 with optimism of better things to come and with the desire to do something to make this world a better place to live in.

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Yesterday I wrote about my personal wish for the Cebu City Sports Center to get a new rubberized track oval.

Here are my sports wishes that I hope will happen in 2009.

For Manny Pacquiao to once again make the Filipinos proud with his achievements as a boxer and more importantly for him to realize that he better stick to what he does best and not stray into the world of politics just because he wants to help people. The best help he can give the people is if he stays away from politics and continues to make us proud with his ring exploits.

I wish that this year we would see our sports leaders work hand in hand for an honest to goodness sports program that will be for the nation and not for any personal gratification. 

I wish for our Cebu City Sports Commission to take a more active role in the development of athletes in our area and I wish the same for all other bodies organized by the different local government units.

I also wish for an even bigger GUV Cup in 2009 that would also cover the men’s division to give our males players also a chance to be discovered by the collegiate coaches.

This year should be a big one for volleyball as there are also plans to do even bigger beach volleyball tournaments in selected areas ideal for the sport.

Although I have been removed from football not by choice but due to injury, I look forward to getting a chance to play again after the first quarter of the year and I wish that the sports would not only have more tournaments, but also more fields to play in.

I wish that this year the dream field at the South Road Properties would materialize and football would grow even bigger.

For those into batted sports and those wanting to get into it, I wish that you will find the time and the energy to try baseball or softball and play in tournaments or pick up games. The best place to start of course is at the Fastball Batting Cages where you can take your first step in the sport.

I wish for more success for Cebu’s golf teams and players in national and international events. I also earnestly wish that this year, Cebu would bid to host the 2010 edition of the annual Philippine Airlines Interclub Golf Tournament.

Personally, I wish for more time to play golf and other sports that I still enjoy despite limitations set by injuries (not age hehehe).

I wish for more success of our Cebuano athletes in national and international competitions.

I wish for less bickering among sports officials, parents, coaches and everyone involved. 

Lastly, I wish for more parents to get their children into sports and find time to bond with them.

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MILESTONES: I’d like to greet my aunt Marydel Q. Miranda a happy birthday as she turns a year older today.

The same goes to my friends Janice Advincula and Atty. Ginette Japzon, who are also celebrating today.

Belated greetings go to Minglanilla Councilor Robert John ‘Jojo’ Selma, who celebrated last Tuesday.

More power to all of you! – THE FREEMAN