DAVAO CITY (PIA) – The University of the Philippines in Mindanao (UPMin) has strengthened its partnership with various stakeholders in preparation for the establishment of the College of Sport and Human Movement Sciences.
Educators, sports and fitness practitioners, sports coordinators, directors, and program heads in Mindanao have pledged their support for the creation of the sports college during UPMin’s “Panaghisgot” Conference held at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City on Saturday, Nov. 25.
“We further recognize that these endeavors shall advance our efforts toward sports and human movement science, sports education, and the promotion of excellence in sports and development in the Mindanao region.”
This statement was part of the Memorandum of Support signed by heads and representatives of about 22 institutions, including private and state-run universities and colleges, sports and fitness centers, and children’s home villages.
Government agencies such as Mindanao Development Authority, Philippine Sports Commission, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao and BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Higher, Technical Education also joined in manifesting support for the development of a sports college.
UP Min Chancellor Dr. Lyre Anni Murao explained that the goal of establishing a sports college at the university is based
The signing of the Statement of Support joined by educators, sports and fitness practitioners, sports coordinators, directors, and program heads in Mindanao, calling for the creation of the sports college during UPMin’s “Panaghisgot” Conference held at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (Photo by UPMin College of Human Kinetics)
on the roadmap created two years ago when they were working on the four different sports programs, namely Bachelor of Sports Science (BSS), Associate in Arts Sports Studies (AASS), Diploma in Exercise Sports Science (DESS), and Master of Science in Human Movement Science (MSHMS).
The DESS program started in school year 2017-2018, while the AASS and BSS programs were implemented in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, respectively. On the other hand, the MSHMS program started this school year 2023-2024.
Press conference during UPMin’s “Panaghisgot” Conference held at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (Photo by UPMin College of Human Kinetics)
“The next step naturally is to merge all these programs into the College of Sports and Human Movement Sciences. Once it is made a college, then the institution can now have more strength and power to implement the programs not only for the university but also for programs in partnership with various sectors to make sports more relevant to various sectors in Mindanao,” Murao stated in a press conference during the “Panaghisgot” event.
The “Panaghisgot” conference was one of their avenues to promote and “gather support from the industry and from the stakeholders to finalize the proposal,” said Prof. Jonathan Cagas, the associate professor of the UP Diliman College of Human Kinetics.
“There’s still a need to provide data,” Cagas further explained as part of the process of creating such an institution.
The process of approval is dependent on the submission of the program proposal once it is completed and finalized.
Prof. Josephine Joy Reyes, executive director of the National Academy of Sports (NAS), commended the “good initiatives offered by the four programs.”
“This is really a good avenue since the graduates of NAS would have a career path… a good pathway for our graduates to go in the areas of sports sciences, sports management and marketing, or anything related to sports,” she said.
Philippine Sports Commission Mindanao coach Emmanuel Rene Ayo said they are “happy that the direction of UPMin is to create a college that focuses on sports development programs and sports science.”
He said the PSC “really wants to provide opportunities for our students to experience working with the national sports association.”
Members of the UPMin Girls Football Team showing their skills in an exhibition match. (Photo from University of the Philippines Mindanao)
UPMin Girls Football Team having a photo oppurtunity during the Girls Football Festival. (Photo from University of the Philippines Mindanao)
Ayo is also the Assistant to the President for Sports and Development at the Lyceum of the Philippines University – Davao.
The goal towards the creation of a sports college was also timely with the directive of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Ministers for all member countries to officially establish their respective youth and sports development working groups.
Jimmy Musa, focal person for BIMP-EAGA SCE Pillar, Mindanao Development Authority – PH Coordinating Office for BIMP-EAGA (PCOBE), mentioned this during the press conference.
“The working group, alongside socio-cultural development and human resource development, will work on the promotion of sports development and a mechanism to enhance this development atmosphere and landscape in sub-regional cooperation,” Musa explained. (JBG/CLC/PIA-XI)
UPMin Chancellor Lyre Anni E. Murao (2nd from the front left) together with Bukas Palad (Davao) Foundation, Inc. Agency Head Ms. Maria Jusette Bonite (3rd from the front left), SOS Children’s Village-Davao Director Mr. Leonilo N. Rivero (4th from the front left), and Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights, Inc. Executive Director Ms. Luz Divina C. Anung, as represented by Coach Charlyn Nadong (center at the back) having a photo oppurtunity after they sign the memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the New Zealand Embassy for the Girls Football Development Project. (University of the Philippines Mindanao)
