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[av_heading heading=’ EDITORIAL | More than just a game’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Sunday, April 30, 2017
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THE 2017 Palarong Pambansa officially closed yesterday. There’s a lot to say about Antique’s hosting, some good (the hospitable Antiqueños, the food, the new sports facilities), some bad (lack of adequate billeting areas and accommodations, accessibility of sporting venues, delayed beddings and medals, unscrupulous tricycle drivers). These should serve as lessons for the next city or province that will host next year’s games.
But one thing is certain. The Palarong Pambansa remains an important venue in developing positive values in our youth. It is not only geared towards sports development; it is also an opportunity to instill the values of self-discipline, respect for law and order, sportsmanship and camaraderie. These time-honored ideals prepare the youth for life’s greater challenges and to become responsible citizens and future leaders.
Competitive sports, physical education, recreation and active living must be encouraged among our youth through inter-sectoral cooperation. The government and our communities must provide the enabling environment to hone sports talents, improve their strengths, overcome their weaknesses, and ensure the promotion and protection of their physical, moral, social, intellectual and even spiritual well-being. When you are an athlete, it is not enough that you have the talent or skill. You must keep getting better. In the end, though, win or lose, the most important thing is for one to give his/her best and allow the experience to make one a better person.
This year’s Palarong Pambansa theme was about converging youth power and building a sustainable future. This called for our athletes’ hard work, perseverance and discipline. In the larger scheme of things, these values make a nation stronger, sustainable and more resilient.
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