For 2011: make the shift

From my Manila Standard Column Dec 31, 2010


If I had the capacity to, there are things I'd like to make different this 2011 in the Philippine Sport landscape.


1. RETIRE PACQUIAO.
Gasp! This will have people disagree violently but I do think Manny Pacquiao should retire already. Is the May 7 fight against Shane Mosley even worth it? I say quit while you're ahead. He's got enough money till yin yang and all he's got to do is manage his finances well and there'll be enough to last 2 generations. I love PacMan! But reality is, a boxer is always just a hard-hitting punch away from some debilitating brain injury.

2. FIELD OF DREAMS
I hear there are a dew sports complexes being built by some cities. I heard about the Taytay sports complex that's supposed to have a soccer field. Budgetary cuts though could have them scrap the pitch. I wish the national government could allot money to build this complex the way it was planned to be. I know it isn't that simple but we have to find a place that's not so far from the urban setting so that the you get generation around manila can learn to play football. Even get some grass roots programs could flourish from having a pitch near Manila. With the inspiration the Azkals gave, we can build easily a generation of football players.

3. PHYS ED
The government is doing the best they could to have students get into as much sports as possible. But if you compare the Philippines to other countries, we're behind in terms of implementing sports programs to the youth. China's gymnasts start at toddler age. Canada has intense hockey classes even in the first years in the grade school level.

There are many things you can think of I'm sure. For 2011, we all have to do our part to help the sports landscape shift for the better. What would you like to see different?

Tweet @patriciahizon and let's print it for next week!