GK Youth Australia's Correspondent in the Philippines RHONA CUARESMA reports
Date Posted: June 28, 2007
Gawad Kalinga Olympics for SAGIP and SIGA Child & Youth Development (CYD) Program was held for two consecutive weekends last May 20 and 27, 2007 at the Marikina Sports Center, Marikina, Philippines.
Children from all over the GK Villages in the Metropolitan Region, as well as Laguna and Quezon provinces were present during the event. They arrived in groups wearing their colourful GK Olympics T-Shirt, eager to get started with the Games.
The special occasion began with a parade of all the athletes from GK Villages that were present. Excitement and loud cheers filled the whole arena of the Marikina Sports Center as they walked around the complex, carrying their respective banners.
The Games began straight after the solemn vow of sportsmanship by all athletes that were present.
There was a wide range of indoor and outdoor sports available for the children to choose from and participate in during the day. Sports such as basketball, volleyball, badminton, soccer, swimming, and chess were some of the favourites.
The children were accompanied by their respective Child & Youth Coordinators, who assisted in providing them with food for the day and most importantly, in supporting and encouraging them during the Games.
The event was proudly sponsored by Adidas Philippines. A number of their employees were present during the event and also volunteered to assist in the Games by being referees of various events. Other GK volunteers were rewarded with a free t-shirt from Adidas.
The day ended with a Thanksgiving Mass followed by the awarding of trophies for the Winning Team. West B was the overall GK SAGIP and SIGA Olympics Champion for 2007.
The event was well organized by the team led by Paolo Rivera and Fredney Gales, who are the head of GK SAGIP & SIGA program in the Philippines, respectively.
Together with volunteers from CFC and GK fulltime workers, the annual GK CYD Olympics proved to be a great success and a memorable occasion for the children and those who took part in the event. Everyone is certainly looking forward for next year’s GK CYD Olympics!
The special occasion began with a parade of all the athletes from GK Villages that were present. Excitement and loud cheers filled the whole arena of the Marikina Sports Center as they walked around the complex, carrying their respective banners.
The children were accompanied by their respective Child & Youth Coordinators, who assisted in providing them with food for the day and most importantly, in supporting and encouraging them during the Games.
