Keeping ‘em away from the streets and into sports

The Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC) is doing its part in helping street children have a better future.
With the help of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), the CCSC is gathering these children and training them in different sports  as part of the agency’s grassroots development program.
The CCPO rescue these children from the streets around the city and bring them to the Cebu City Sports Institute in barangay Pasil, where they train for free under volunteer coaches.
Boxing volunteer coach Dodieboy Peñalosa, a two-time world champion in boxing, said it’s not difficult training these streetkids.
“Dili man sila problema. Tan-awa, lingaw man kaayo ni sila”, he said. (They are really not a problem. Look, they are having so much fun.)
CCSC and CCPO want to sustain this “rescue” program to help young kids stay away from vices and help them turn into responsible and excellent  athletes.
In a visit to the Pasil training grounds on Tuesday, Cebu Daily News saw firsthand the children’s determination to  master the ground rules of  boxing, volleyball and archery as taught by CCSC’s volunteer coaches. Their total engagement in the program was apparent in their eager participation and willingness to learn.
Mark Rommel Aliño, executive director of the CCSC, said this program is one of the best ways to help street children live their dreams.
“For us, this is not just work. We have never viewed these street children as problems. We view them as a challenge. A challenge to develop their character. To make them respectful and responsible athletes,” Aliño said.
Who knows? Maybe the next Manny Pacquiao will be found in one of Cebu’s street children.