TM hoops grassroots program fires off

TM BASKETBALL Para sa Bayan, a Globe Telecom grassroots sports program has teamed up once again with basketball star L. A. Tenorio, in bringing basketball to underprivileged Filipino youth in Tuguegarao City; Porac, Pampanga and Talavera, Nueva Ecija.

Globe and Tenorio, who runs Method Basketball Academy, held recently a free basketball clinic and tournament at People’s Gym in Tuguegarao City; Babo Sacan covered court in Porac, Pampanga and at the Talavera Municipal Gymnasium in Nueva Ecija. Previous stagings of the free basketball clinic and tournament were held in Tondo and Dumaguete.

TM Basketball Para Sa Bayan, is a sports program that promotes sports development in the Philippines at the grassroots level. It creates opportunities for kids especially in far- flung places in the country where prospects are scarce and dreams aren’t likely to be realized.

Studies have shown that involving the youth in sports helps keep them away from drugs, not to mention open doors to better education opportunities.

“We continue to strengthen our grassroots programs to give today’s youth more opportunities to hone their interests and talents. The TM Basketball Para sa Bayan program remains an effective tool in strengthening values and encouraging the youth to live a healthy lifestyle,” said Globe Director for Citizenship and Sustainability Chel Obligacion- Gray.

The free basketball clinic participants played in 3- on- 3 basketball tournaments divided into two categories – a youth category for kids aged for participants aged 15 to 21. Basketball shootouts and basketball arcade games were also available for everyone to enjoy.

The basketball program is set to roll out in more provinces nationwide to be able to encourage more children to explore and be aware of the positive benefits of sports. TM Basketball Para Sa Bayan is a component of a larger sports program of Globe which also includes Football Para Sa Bayan launched in 2013.