South Cotabato launches “Palaro ng mga Kawani”

By Danilo E. Doguiles

Wednesday 6th of June 2012

KORONADAL CITY, June 6 (PIA) -- After the successful second-year run of the free summer sports clinic for young people, South Cotabato kicks off another sports program, this time designed employees of the provincial government.

On Monday, June 4, the provincial government launched the “Palarong ng mga Kawani,” which according to Provincial Sports Coordinator Florentino Perez Jr. is in line with the governor's advocacy to promote health and sports.

“The provincial government has given much focus on developing our youth for sports competitions such as CRAA (Cotabato Regional Athletic Association) meet, Palarong Pambansa, provincial meet,” he said.

“This time we are giving importance to the employees of the provincial government to promote healthy lifestyle,” Perez added.

This also intends to foster and camaraderie, sportsmanship, and friendship among the employees, he said.

Sports competitions will be held at the South Cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center, the South Cotabato Sports Complex and the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium every Friday afternoon, beginning at around 3:00 p.m.

Basketball and volleyball have been identified as sports where employees, divided into clusters, will initially compete in.

“We are also considering other games like swimming, running, badminton, chess, table tennis, dart, modified softball and other sports which could help develop their health consciousness and create camaraderie, sportsmanship and friendship among the provincial government employees,” he said.

Cluster 1 (Red Team) includes Office of the Provincial Governor, Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Provincial Legal Office; Cluster 2 (Pink Team) whose members include the Integrated Provincial Health Office, Norala District Hospital, Lake Sebu Municipal Hospital and Polomolok Municipal Hospital; Cluster 3 (Blue Team) of the Provincial Engineer, Provincial Administrator and Provincial Population Office.

Cluster 4 (Lavender Team) is composed of employees in agriculture, veterinary and planning and development office; Cluster 5 (Orange Team) includes those in the treasurer’s, accounting, budget and general services office; and Cluster 6 (Green Team) including social welfare and development, environment management, and assessor’s offices.

The winning team will receive P5,000 cash prize while the three runners up will receive P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000, respectively.

Perez said, the “Palarong ng mga Kawani” will continue until the first week of July in time for the start of the province’s T’nalak Festival.

In May, some 468 young people aged between five and 18 joined this year’s Sports Aral Program of the provincial government.

These young people underwent free sports clinic on dart, arnis, basketball, volleyball, swimming, soccer, table tennis, billiard, softball and boxing from May 2 until 21.

Besides enhancing their sports skills, the participants were also taught the value of discipline, health, and nutrition; they also underwent lectures against drug abuse.

Pingoy started the Sport Aral Program last year. (DEDoguiles/PIA 12)