CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Edward Hayco once again highlighted the importance of sports that is essential not only in building a champion athlete but also in molding an individual of great value and character.
Speaking before thousands of athletes during yesterday's formal opening ceremonies of the 17th Aboitiz Football Cup at the Cebu City Sports Center, Hayco said sports is not only about winning games, it's also about winning friends and more importantly instilling discipline and espousing diligence in the hearts of every athlete.
"I have a very simple message to the coaches, parents and the athletes. Sports is not all about winning the game. It's about winning friends. It's about the learning simple disciplines like coming to practice on time and diligence. It is about the parents teaching their kid athletes to be respectful to the coach, and the coaches to continually develop themselves as a mentor of discipline not just a teacher of the game. But to be a positive influence, nurture good virtues of not just how to win, but as well as positive virtues on how to lose!," Hayco said.
Not on its 17th year, Hayco likewise lauded the huge impact the annual Aboitiz football tournament has brought to the Cebuano community.
"The social impact of this event is immeasurable. Just to give you an idea on the magnitude of what you've done to society, let me relate a story.
A barangay offical told us that when we started the free summer training in their barangay, the incidence of pick-pocketting and petty crimes dropped tremendously. We asked him curiously, how sure are you the drop of petty crimes was due to the free sports program. His reply was very interesting, he said , as soon as our free training ended, the incidence of pickpocketing shot up again," Hayco shared.
In extolling the success the Aboitiz Cup has attained through the years, Hayco made special mention of Jaime Aboitiz and Cebu Football Association President Ricky Dakay.
"This wouldn't be possible without two extraordinary leaders, Mr. Jaime Aboitiz, and Pres. Ricky Dakay. If not for their commitment, passion and dedication, your 17th edition, would not have reached almost 200 teams, Hayco said. "Special thank you to sports center GM Ricky Ballesteros, tournament director Glenn Quisido, Sonny Carpio and all the volunteers, for your untiring effort to make this event extremely successful."
"We encourage you to keep growing in numbers. Organize more teams in every barangay and sitio. Transform communities through football and lastly, please remember to play because not only that you want to win, play because you want to meet new friends, and help in your own little ways.
Meanwhile, the competition will begin on January 31 yet. Aside from the sports center, games will also be played at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, Don Bosco Technology Center, and San Roque Parish football fields.
A record number of close to 200 teams will see action in 17 categories that include players 6, players 8, players 10, boys 12, girls 12, boys 14, girls 14, boys 17, girls 17, boys 19, boys 23, BPOs, inter-company, ladies open and men’s open. (FREEMAN)