The Department of Education promotes the ideals of sports and physical fitness through the elementary and secondary schools. Through the Bureau of Physical Education and School Sports (BPESS), it has launched the School Fit, a series of nine (9) major programs implemented through twenty (20) projects. This innovative approach caters to the demands and needs of the 21st century which focuses in the strengthening capabilities and delivery of services in the elementary and secondary schools for students, teachers, coaches and all the partners in this undertaking.
The initiative of the Department of Education has encouraged the younger generation to enhance their sports enthusiasm and develop their capabilities. More than the positive effects of sports in the consciousness of the young people, it has become an avenue for personal growth and grandeur for some athletes who started their careers in the school-based sports program. To name a few, we have Kerby Raymundo, Raymond Almazan, Lydia de Vega, Elma Muros, Nelson Mariano and Wesley So. Their common denominator is the DepEd program for sports.
For striving young athletes, these are some tips which can be useful in the development of sport potentials.
1. Improve your physical strength. There is always difficulty on this aspect. But with positive attitude, this can be done. Balanced diet should go with regular exercise and good sleeping habit. A simple morning or afternoon jogging can trigger those sleeping muscles to contract and be developed. This will physically prepare the athlete in everyone.
2. Know and develop your interest. Determine what sports discipline best interests you. Bear in mind that your interest in a game triggers your attitude toward it. If you have developed this, play and enjoy it. In playing it, always have a relaxed mind and do not lose your focus in it. Later on, you’ll discover that being involved in sports develop your totality as a person.
3. Have discipline. Be patient and practice to excel. For a competitive athlete, there are no such words as ENOUGH and I’M TIRED. Always challenge yourself to be better and become the best. Keep on practicing and discover new strategies on how to improve your capabilities.
4. Believe in yourself. Always remember that there is always something greater in you which remains to be unearthed. We are naturally gifted with talents and skills. It is just a matter of harnessing our potentials and confidence as an individual. Successful athletes are in the pinnacles of their careers because they believe in their selves. They believe that they can excel because of self confidence. They keep on challenging their selves because they believe they can survive. Always bear in mind that you are strong, that you can do it, that you can excel.
5. Be disciplined. The words of Barry Bonds best exemplify this. “Discipline is the most important key to be successful in your career, to win in every game and in every pursuit of life.” Your practices can never bear fruits without discipline. Likewise, be magnanimous in victories and gracious in defeat. Everything comes for a reason and always look at the positive side of the game and not the outcome.
6. Thank and glorify the source of your strength. Your potentials come from the unseen Force which derives you to discover and develop your potentials. Always invoke His presence and assistance in whatever you do. Begin and end all practice sessions and games in His glory. He is the best trainer. Thank and glorify His mighty name.
Simple tips but these are worth a try. Nothing is lost to a man who keeps on discovering new things for self improvement. There’s always no harm in trying but there is always a lesson in every endeavor. Let’s get started!
By: Alvin R. Medina | Teacher II | Gugo Elementary School | Samal, Bataan
