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MEMBERS of the Bacoor National High School and Zapote Elementary School dominated the badminton event, while BNHS-Tabing-Dagat and Mabolo Elementary School topped the table tennis competitions during the 1st Kabataan Iwas-Droga: Start on Sports tournament at the Theresian School of Cavite.
Gawaran Campus of BNHS also came up big in the chess competition for the Secondary level, while Aniban ES and Niog ES fought tooth and nail in the Elementary division in the tournament participated in by 158 students from 14 public schools as part of the Philippine Sports Commission’s grassroots sports development program.
Angelo Bajamudin was probably the biggest winner of the tournament. Right after winning the badminton Singles Secondary title, a talent scout from the University of Perpetual Help—Dalta System immediately offered him a scholarship to be part of the school’s team for the NCAA.
“Ito po talaga ang pangarap ko, gamitin ang badminton para makapagtapos ng pag-aaral,” said the 16-year-old Molino high talent.
Participating teams were Habay ES, Sineguelasan ES, Bacoor ES, Mabolo ES, Aniban ES, Zapote ES, Dulong Bayan ES, Niog ES, Gawaran ES, Maliksi ES, Bacoor National H.S. (Salinas Annex), Tabing Dagat H.S. and Molino Main H.S.
Prior to the tournament, a four-week sports clinic was conducted at the Strike Gymnasium —Bacoor City Hall from July 21 to Aug. 13.
Over 600 kids from 38 public schools joined the weekend trainings, which were made possible through the collaboration of the PSC, the City Government of Bacoor through Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla and the Department of Education.
PSC Commissioner Arnold Agustin said the program is part of the government’s campaign to veer the youth away from drug abuse.
“We want the kids to use their free time in worthwhile activities—be fit and healthy, have them focus on sports rather than take part in negative behaviors and activities,” said Agustin. “This is also one of PSC’s mission in holding sports activities —to identify and tap raw talents that can be polished into gems to join the nation’s sports workforce in the future.”