SA kabila ng masikip na oras para sa pagsasanay sa 2020 FIBA 3X3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament, nagawang maisingit ng national team pool, sa pangunguna ni Kiefer Ravena, ang makihalubilo at makiensayo sa mga players na kabilang sa ‘person with disabilities.’
Magkakasama sina Karl Dehesa, Alvin Pasaol, Dylan Ababou, Santi Santillan, Troy Rike, Ryan Monteclaro, Leo De Vera, at Dan Reducto para magsilbing coaches ng mga players na kabilang sa Chooks-to-Go and Special Olympics Asia Pacific “Kaya ‘Yan, Manok ng Bayan” Unified Basketball Clinic nitong weekend sa The Upper Deck Court in Ortigas, Pasig.
Ang “Kaya ‘Yan, Manok ng Bayan” ay programa ng Bounty Agro Ventures Incorporated bilang bahagi ng kanilang pakikiisa sa Special Olympics, sa pamamagitan ng sports fests, training sessions at pagbubukas ng pintuan para maging empleyado ng kompanya.
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“Definitely this inspires all of us to push harder heading into the OQT. Our trainings are tough since we have been practicing twice-a-day for the last two months,” pahayag ni Dehesa.
“Being here made us realize who we are fighting for and that’s them.”
“This program of Chooks-to-Go is something that is really special to me because we all know how hard it is for PIDs to break-in to our society. Having this is a huge step forward because not only is Boss Ronald [Mascariñas] giving them a program but also giving them a chance to be part of their workforce,” sambit ni Ravenba, isa sa campaign ambassador ng programa.
Kabuuang 50 PIDs ang nakilaok sa first leg ng camp kung saan tunuruan sila ng basics sa 3x3 basketball.
Matapos ang clinics, naglaro ang mga participants sa exhibition game laban sa Chooks-to-Go All-Stars, gayundin sa dance-off.
“Super important ito sa amin because nahihirapan kami makakuha ng support. Our mission is to provide year-long sports training for people with intellectual disabilities. Kahit may competition or wala, kailangan namin mag-training. Nahihirapan kaming gawin yun dahil lahat kami ay volunteer -- including our coaches,” sambit ni Special Olympics consultant Kaye Samson.
“So natutuwa kami that Bounty committed to giving us venues and coaches. To learn from professional athletes, ibang klaseng pagbabago ng buhay ang mabibigay sa kanila.”
Iginiit ni BAVI president Ronald Mascariñas na mananatili ang commitment ng Chook-To-Go at palalawigin nila ito para mas marami ang makinabang.
“This is just the start of a continuous program for BAVI and the Special Olympics. We plan on heading to the provinces and locate more people with intellectual disabilities to come out and gain confidence through sports,” pahayag ni Mascariñas.
“But it’s not just our organization who is committed to this as all of our athletes have pledged to take part in this very special program that is close to our hearts.”
