Unity in Sports for Nation Building

Binhi sang Pagtuo

October 26, 2009

Dear Centralians and Friends,

Greetings from the campus!

Last Saturday, October 24, 2009, the 14th National University Games started at Central Philippine University. The campus is now teeming with athletes from various schools all over the country. The theme of this event is “Unity in Sports for Nation Building.”

What lessons can we learn from sports that can help us in nation building?

First, we must trust each other. Team mates need to trust each other. During game time each one should trust each other to perform their respective roles. One should never abandon his/her task and play the task of another. One must have the confidence with his/her team mate that he/she should be in the designated spot when you pass the ball because if not, then indecisiveness comes in and consequently mistakes will happen.

Filipinos should learn to trust each other. This is one way that we can help our country.

Second, we must listen to each other. Every player needs to listen to the advice of his/her fellow players, and especially to the coach. Yesterday, my players in Table Tennis learn this lesson the hard way. I have to call a timeout and tell them the gameplan once again. It nearly cost us the game but we prevailed against our rival in Negros. Hopefully, we can duplicate our win in the next games.

Filipinos should learn to listen to each other. Nobody has the monopoly of bright ideas. We also need a coach. The coach can be our leaders. The coach can identify the weaknesses and strengths and points us to the right direction. But of course the best coach is God, and the gameplan is the Bible.

Third, we need to have determination, intensity, focus, passion and enjoyment. These are the keywords that are repeatedly heard in the game courts. Coaches, team mates and fans shout these words as a reminder to those who are playing. The most popular words in the duration of the game are “kaya mo yan” and “focus.” Most often, the intensity level of the players is heightened when they concentrate and give the best that they can. The result is a good game with no or little regrets.

Filipinos oftentimes have the mentality that a foreigner is better than him/her. He/she does not believe in him/herself. Filipinos sometimes resigned their fate to whatever will happen next, and not making his/her own destiny. We need to be determined, and be passionate. We need to bring back the pride of being a Filipino – “kaya natin to!”

May God bless us all!

Sincerely,

Pastor Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

Assistant Chaplain