Be active in sports to recover and rebuild your hopes and dreams: Marawi mayor urges youth
ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL
December 5, 2018
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| Mayor Majul Gandamra (RSP) |
This he said during the opening ceremony on Wednesday of the 2018 Palarong Panlungsod ng Marawi here in which he is the keynote speaker.
Mayor Gandamra advised the youth to be good examples to their younger brothers and sisters "so that they can have you as someone to look up to."
"Be good students, both in the classroom and in the playing field," he said.
"By doing what I have mentioned, you will become young men and women whom your families, your school, and your city will be proud of."
The mayor advised the youth to play the game to enjoy and learn. "Even if you don't win," he said, "know that you have given your best, which is the most important thing."
Gandamra said: "Alhamdulillah, we are now able to continue holding this event, which is one of Marawi City's time-honored traditions. And what makes it very special besides being held again after last year's siege is that it is a shining example of survival, of the triumph of the human spirit, through good sportsmanship and camaraderie. Various teams from participating schools are not just here to showcase their talents in various sporting events, and maybe win a medal, or two, or more: they're also here to showcase teamwork, unity, and most importantly, the ability to play the rules.
"To the organizers, the DepEd Marawi Division and their partners and sponsors, I congratulate you for pushing through with the Palarong Panlungsod. I know that since most of the city's infrastructure for sports have been destroyed or damaged beyond use, you had difficulty finding where to hold the games. But you refused to just bow down to limitations and went the extra mile for this, because the DepEd isn't just for keeping students in the classrooms for learning, it is also is duty bound to provide an avenue where sports can learned and enjoyed by students. Special thanks also to the Mindanao state University Main Campus under President Habib W. Macaayong for generously letting the organizers hold the Palaro in its sports complex, for the principals, and coaches from participating schools, I want to thank you and congratulate you for managing to mold your student athletes despite the many obstacle and limitations posed by the time and available resources. By sending the best of the best from your schools, you are teaching the student athletes valuable life lessons that are learned in the playing field instead of in the classroom. That, in itself is very important and by doing this you are giving the children valuable life experiences that they can benefit from as they grow into adults.
"For the players, I have something special to say to all of you. I know that the term "City meet" makes you excited and makes you look forward to taking part in the games and perhaps winning medals and trophies and honor for your school or even be able to represent the city in the regional or even the national Palaro. Noong bata pa ako tulad ninyo, nakapaglaro din ako ng sports kahit papaano, at hanggang ngayon, fan ako ng basketball, lalo na ang NBA. Nakaka-relate ako sa excitement ninyo and I know gusto ninyo and I know gusto ninyong ibigay ang performance ninyo sa mga games.
"Alam ko na gusto ninyong mag uwi ng medalya at trophy para sa school ninyo. Alam ko rin na importante sa mga kalooban ninyo na tuluyan niyo nang maibabaon sa limot ang nangyari sa atin noong nakaraang taon.
"What I am asking from you, the athletes, as your mayor, is to make use of your good sportsmanship, and teamwork, as well as your determination to do your best, to become the kind of future citizens that Marawi badly needs.
"Be good examples to your younger brothers and sisters so that they can have you as someone to look up to.
"Be good students, both in the classroom and in the playing field.
"By doing what I have mentioned, you will become young men and women whom your families, your school, and your city will be proud of."
The mayor advised the youth to play the game to enjoy and learn. "Even if you don't win," he said, "know that you have given your best, which is the most important thing."
Gandamra said: "And while I know that I won't be able to watch every game, please know that I have each and every one of you in my heart and mind, and know that I am constantly praying that you will each be successful in whatever good path that the future will take you."
"In closing, I want to encourage you to continue participating in events such as this one because this kind of activities are intended to help the youth to recover and rebuild their hopes and dreams despite the tragic event that has transpired in our Islamic City of Marawi.
"The Palarong Panglunsod is a celebration of the youth in general.
"In fact, the City Meet is one of the most efficient avenues to combat radical extremism which the youth is vulnerable of. Suportahan natin ang ating mga kabataan sa kanilang pagsali sa sports and other physical activities! Bagkus, ang city government ng Marawi at ibang mga pampubliko at pribadong sektor ng lipunan ay ginagawa ang lahat ng aming makakaya upang tugunan ang iba't ibang pangangailangan ng ating mga atleta ng sagayon, mailayo sila sa mga masasamang gawain. Sa lahat ng atleta ng Marawi, win or lose, choosing to engage in sports rather than extremism and other negative doings is a victory in itself. This is your time to use the pain from the past as a reminder for you to appreciate every victory and make your own version of success. Fear not, for I, as the father of this city will be fighting with you every step of the way." (RSP)
