“Full support is vital especially if you want your kids to excel in their sport,” says Alexander Arabia, a proud father who supports his son Alejandro’s basketball clinic every weekend.
Alexander understands that getting children into sports is vital to their overall development. But more importantly he knows that moral, emotional and financial support are equally important to help kids be better athletes and people, in general.
This is espoused at the recently concluded SBP-Passerelle, the longest running twin tournament in the country organized by BEST (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training). The said tournament gives importance on the vital role of parents, coaches and school officials in shaping the kids to become better individuals.
“At BEST Center, we encourage parents to be role models to their kids by imposing good behavior and promoting fair play and sportsmanship,” shares BEST Center founder and former national coach Nicanor Jorge. The said values, he emphasizes, will serve as good foundation for the kids to learn from.
Hence Alexander shares how driving them to practice, silently cheering them on at the sidelines, and fetching them afterwards, can help parents get to know more about their kids.
For Yuan Pasumbal of International School of Better Beginnings (ISBB), his parents are not the only ones who fully support his passion—all of his three siblings are also present in every competition he’s in. “We never miss any game, wherever and whenever they may be,” say Yuan’s parents Fredrick and Reinates.
Coaches also play an important role in child development. They are the kids’s role models and are responsible for their performance on the court as well as on how they behave off court.
“Coaches serve as examples for kids to follow,” enthuses coach Ronie Gallo of Ferndale International School of Zamboanga City. Coach Ronie’s son is one of the players of his team, yet he admits to never having any favorites.
“As both parent and coach, I never play favorites, [I instead] emphasize the importance of fair play and teach them to accept the results of the game, whether [they] win or lose,” shares the father-coach.
Contrary to what others think about sports being a hindrance to learning, Bro. Felipe Belleza of De La Salle notes how sports complement education. “While studying sharpens their academic skills, playing sports helps build character. They do not develop talent but also learn life skills which they can use throughout their lives, regardless of whatever profession or path they choose to take.”
Call (02) 411-6260, 372-3066, 372-3065 or email bestcentersports@gmail.com for more information about BEST Center’s classes and tournaments.