Performance of athletes amid the pandemic

Norman S. Alvarado

Because of the pandemic, the Department of Education and its longtime partner Milo have conceptualized the first-ever "Palarong Pambahay", an online inter-sport, interschool, junior sports competition.

The championship will be held on May 21 and 22, according to the organizers.

Milo and DepEd officials said this competition aims to provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and continue their champion journeys in school and in sports.

According to officials of the Milo Sports Program, home-based classes and online tournaments have served as a training ground for young athletes in the past two years during the pandemic.

The launch of the Palarong Pambahay, therefore, aims to showcase the skills and grit that athletes have worked hard for over the years, and pay tribute to the parents, coaches and teachers who have been in the sidelines to give their unwavering support to their children’s champion dreams.

In a recent media briefing, it was learned that some 3,000 young athletes from the elementary and secondary divisions from both public and private schools nationwide will be competing in eight different sports -- Arnis, Athletics, Basketball, Football, Jumprope, Karatedo, Rhythmic Gymnastics and Taekwondo.

The finals of the competition will be broadcasted live on the official MiloPhilippines Facebook page from May 21 to 22. Video submissions of shortlisted participants will serve as their official entries to the competition, where it will be judged and scored real time. Top winners of the both divisions will each receive a Milo medal, certificate and electronic voucher.

DepEd, meanwhile, expressed gratitude to Milo, saying It is a great pleasure to be partnering with Milo once again.

They said thay even though the pandemic has hindered most on-ground activities, the DepEd as well as coaches, teachers and parents have worked tremendously hard to make this event a reality.

Aside from being a milestone, this activity is integral proof that nothing can stop the Filipino champion spirit and the winning culture of Bayanihan.

For years, Milo and the DepEd have enjoyed a longstanding partnership in promoting sport as an integral part of a child’s holistic development. During the height of the pandemic, Milo and DepEd have jointly rolled out online modules, instructional exercise videos and sports equipment for public school students and teachers to help young Filipinos to remain active and excel in school and in sports.

--oOo-

The author is Teacher III/Coach at Marcelo H. del Pilar National High School