The outbreak of the coronavirus disease in the Philippines has halted life as we know it. One of the sectors affected by the pandemic is college sports, which is on a hiatus until the situation considerably improves.
Amidst the doom and gloom of the current times, the De La Salle University Football Team put on an online clinic, through teleconferencing application Zoom, last September 5, 2020, to teach the basics of the sport to enthusiasts and raise funds for the City of Manila.
“We had participants as old as 30-years-old and as young as 6-years-old. We had eight breakout rooms which included skills training, strength and conditioning and goalkeeping,” explained coach Alvin Ocampo.
The result of the endeavor yielded P10,000, which was presented today, October 26, 2020, to Mayor Isko Moreno at the historic Manila City Hall. Representing the team were Ocampo, Office of Sports Development representative Gyn de Vera, captains Mauro Acot, Bea delos Reyes and co-captain Shai del Campo.
“We are grateful that the event was a success. We were able to share our time with everyone and at the same time be able to help,” furthered Ocampo who added that the event was simply the start and more of its kind are in the works.
The initiative is proof that sports can be a vital instrument in the rebuilding of the country as it strives to overcome the effects of COVID-19 to society. It is also spreading the message that physical exercise within the confines of one’s home is an effective measure to maintain physical and mental wellness.
