Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña (left) and Cebu City Sports Commission chairman Edward Hayco face some of the athletes of Cebu City during the official turnover of the cash prizes won for topping the Philippine National Games last May./Glendale Rosal
Tomas lauds volunteer athletes of Cebu City
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña expressed his appreciation to the athletes of Team Cebu City who competed in the Philippine National Games (PNG) in Cebu last May and in the Batang Pinoy National Championships in Baguio City last month.
The mayor was thankful not only for their performances in the two multisporting meets but also for their part in helping kids train for free under the Cebu City Sports Commission’s (CCSC) grassroots program.
Cebu City’s athletes in both the PNG and the Batang Pinoy are all volunteers of the CCSC’s free grassroots training program. Their volunteer work serves as their ticket to be included in Cebu City’s lineup for various meets in the country, including the two organized by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
“Gawas sa inyong medalya, nakatabang kamo sa inyong mga amigo ug amiga. Ayaw gyud na ninyo kalimti kay importante kaayo na. Mao nay gitawag nato ug team. Dili solo. Nitabang kamo sa uban para makadaog ang team. Murag kamo ra nakahimo ana,” Osmeña said. (Aside from your medals, you have helped your friends. Don’t forget that because that’s very important. That’s what we call team. Not working solo. You helped others so that the team wins. I think you’re the only ones who do that.)
Team Cebu City finished first in the PNG to bag the P10 million cash prize. PSC Commissioner Ramon “El Presidente” Fernandez turned over the cheque to Mayor Osmeña yesterday at the Mayor’s Office at the Cebu City Hall.
In the Batang Pinoy Nationals, Cebu City finished second to hosts Baguio. But Osmeña was still delighted with how the athletes performed.
“I am very very proud of you. Your city is very proud of you. We will do it again. Next time, number one na!” Osmeña said.
The PNG’s purse for the overall champion was initially set at P5 million but President Rodrigo Duterte doubled the amount during the official opening ceremonies of the meet.
CCSC Chairman Edward Hayco said the majority of the P10 million will be used to purchase sports equipment to help improve Cebu City’s sports facility.
Some is also intended to be used for CCSC’s grassroots program in sports.
“Major part of it will be for the sports equipment, improvement of sports facility, and a portion of it for their (athletes and coaches) cash incentives, but this will still be determined,” said Hayco.
Today, Fernandez will head to the Cebu Provincial Capitol to meet with Cebu Provincial Governor Hilario “Jun-jun” Davide III for the turnover of the P2 million check for placing fifth in the PNG.