Xavier School, Makati Hope Christian School and Sakya emerged victorious in the recent Filipino Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation ‘Kid’s Athletic Day’ at the Philsports (formerly Ultra) track oval in Pasic City.
The Xavier tracksters dominated the jumping event, while Makati Hope Christian School made its presence felt in throwing events and Sakya students showed prowess in the running competition in the one-day event that aimed to strengthen camaraderie in the community and continued development in the grassroots level.
“This program was introduced by the IAAF (International Amateur Athletics Federation). It’s the world’s biggest grassroots development program as it was implemented in 134 countries and reached a cumulative audience of more than 13 million children,” said FCAA Athletic Director Leony Chan Ang,
FCAAF president Natalie Sia stressed the Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation is dedicated to promote and develop sports among the Filipino-Chinese community and cultivate sports talents.
“We believe in the educational philosophy of “Virtue, Wisdom, Physical Fitness, Social Skills, and Aesthetics,” which contributes to the comprehensive development of students’ abilities and qualities.
Schools should focus on academic achievements and emphasize students’ morals and physical and mental health.
“Sports plays an indispensable role in the healthy growth of students, helping them establish good lifestyle habits, enhance physical fitness, and foster a spirit of teamwork,” said Sia during the awarding ceremony which was attended by top FCAAF officials with Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Fritz Gaston as special guest.
“In this digital age, electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, and video games have become integral parts of children’s lives. To address this trend, we need to promote children’s sports activities more actively, encourage more participation in physical activities, instilling a love for sports in their hearts. We hope that Chinese schools will continue to collaborate with us, jointly caring for the physical development of students,” added Sia.
She stressed that the FCAAF is more than willing to provide support, including coach training to ensure the continued development of the youth not just in sports, but in character building.
“Let’s work together for the growth of the next generation, making them healthier and more positive individuals,” said Sia
