Parents play a key role in nurturing young athletes

CEBU, Philippines — Children look up to their parents as a pillar of strength and primary source of motivation.

In the sporting stage, when parents actively support their child’s activities, they will not only enhance their fundamental skills and enjoyment of the game but also instill in them a sense of confidence.

That’s what exactly Borgy Lee and his wife Evangeline are doing to their two kids Sebastian, 4, and Cassius, 6, who are both members of Sugbu Calidad FC that regularly competes in local football leagues.

At a very tender age, they let their young boys engage in sports owing to its numerous benefits.

First and foremost, allowing them to play football is good for their health and well-being. It will also help them veer away from bad habits and vices.

“At first, my kids easily get sick and our doctor adviced us to spend more time outdoors and exercise to breathe fresh air and develop a stronger immune system,” Borgy Lee shared. “Soccer is a great outdoor sports and our kids love it.”

By encouraging early participation in sports, Lee believes that the kids will pick up essential values that will positively influence various aspects of their life along the way.

“As part of a team, they know how to listen to their coaches and follow instructions. That would eventually help them understand the meaning of sportsmanship and camaraderie,” said Lee.

“Sports teaches them discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. It also enables them to handle defeat gracefully, making them realize that heartbreaks are not the end of the road,” he added.

More than becoming skilled players, what matters most for Lee is that Sebastian and Cassius will grow up armed with the right attitude from the morals they learned out of their athletic journey.

“I hope that in the field of sports, they will be highly encouraged that anything is possible if you just work hard for it. Whether or not they will reach their goals as an athlete, the most important thing is that they learn key intangible skills that they can apply in whatever path they take in life someday,” Lee concluded.