By: Ferdz M. Brizo / FB-Eye
Happy New Year, dear Radio Listeners! Let’s welcome the new year with joy and hope in our hearts. Always remember that there is always hope, despite the challenges.
If 2023 hasn’t been lucky for us, a change in fortune is sure to come in 2024, the Year of the Wood Dragon. Bicol Peryodiko and Radyo Peryodiko extend our gratitude for your support and wish everyone a blessed and peaceful new year.
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DepEd Catanduanes Sports Officer Fidel Vegim believes that the performance of Catanduanes delegates will improve in the Palarong Bicol in April 2024 in Albay. Mr. Vegim stated that the return of the Provincial Games to Catanduanes is a significant opportunity to discover potential players who can compete not only in the Bicol Games but also in the Palarong Pambansa. Currently, there are Palarong Pambansa players who are excelling in the Provincial Games.
From being ranked 10th last year, it is expected that Catanduanes’ performance level will rise against the twelve other delegations in the region this year if the players are well-trained.
Catanduanes is considered the first province to host the Games in the region compared to other provinces, allowing ample time for player training. However, the delegation is concerned about the lack of funds, as the allocation has decreased from 12 million last year to only 6 million this year. DepEd aims to collaborate with local officials and private individuals or groups for an “adopt a player” scheme to improve Catanduanes’ record in the upcoming Bicol Games.
The Provincial Games in the town of Virac were successful, with 3,433 coaches, players, and officiating officers participating from eleven municipalities in Catanduanes. It began with a parade in Virac on December 27 and concluded on December 29, 2023. A total of 619 gold medals were at stake in the games. Local officials, led by Governor Joseph Cua, Congressman Leo Rodriguez, and Mayor Sammy Laynes, were guests at the event. In their messages, they expressed full support for the occasion and recognition for the athletes who will represent the province in regional and national competitions.
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Catanduanes is heading in the right direction in its pursuit of a breakthrough to enhance sports development in the province. One weakness of Catanduanes in the Bicol Games is its focus on team events, such as basketball and volleyball, where the delegation struggles to perform well, compared to individual events where many medals are won.
The strategy suggested for DepEd is to coordinate with local officials, including the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, for resolutions or guidelines that encourage coordination between DepEd and local tournaments. This would prevent a sole focus on basketball and allow Catanduanes to explore other potential events.
Regular tournaments in barangays organized by SK and local officials can follow DepEd’s guidelines for identified sports. This coordination would increase the pool of potential players for Catanduanes.
Stay tuned for the DepEd Sports Development program on Radyo Peryodiko to discuss Catanduanes sports issues and potential solutions.
