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| (Image Source: Facebook/Lipa Status/Philippine Baseball The Dreamers) |
In line with the local government's continuing efforts to promote grassroots sports development and strengthen local athlete capabilities, the Lipa City Sports Development Council headed by OIC and Executive Assistant of the Office of the City Mayor Fernando "Boy" A. Manguera recently organized the Lipa City Sports Camp last November 22-23, 2025 at the Lipa City Community Park in Granja (Barangay 7), gathering young athletes from across the city ages 14 years old and below for a clearly enjoyable weekend of immersive sports training, skill-building, and motivational development.
With Honorable Lipa City Mayor Eric B. Africa and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick Gregorio and Athlete Researcher Airmiel Talata Abarra present and overseeing, the camp aims to provide proper guidance and essential preparation for youth hoping to join larger sporting events in the future. The sports camp featured a diverse lineup of activities designed to hone both fundamental and advanced skills. Under the guidance of the City Community Affairs Office and coordination and supervision of Coach Israel Ona and Dayan Ranalan ensuring the safe and successful staging of the sports clinics all throughout the weekend, participants engaged in sports clinics, skill trainings, drills, team-building exercises, and motivational sessions led by seasoned coaches and local sports mentors. Beyond improving athletic ability, the camp also focused on discipline, teamwork, and mindset which are qualities vital to any athlete’s long-term success. A wide array of sports programs were included in this year’s camp, covering basketball, volleyball, badminton, football, athletics, baseball/softball, chess, table tennis, lawn tennis, swimming, and dance. Each program was crafted to cater to different age groups and skill levels, ensuring that every participant receives personalized attention and proper coaching. City officials emphasized that the camp is part of Lipa’s broader push to foster a stronger, more competitive sports culture among the youth. By equipping young athletes with early exposure, structured training, and mentorship, the city aims to pave the way for future champions who can represent Lipa in regional, national, and even international competitions.
On the second day of the sports camp, Manguera, while visiting the clinics and interacting with the athletes, noticed that there are several young athletes engaging in arm wrestling and thought of including it along with other new sports disciplines in forthcoming editions of the camp which is bound to be possible. As a major supporter of grassroots sports development programs that can produce skillful and highly disciplined Lipeño athletes, Mayor Africa recognized and thanked the coordinators and coaches of the sports camp for their undaunting efforts to guide and strengthen the skills, discipline, and character of the young athletes participating which would become a potential catalyst for the next generation of Lipeño athletes. Overall, the energy at the Lipa City Community Park was high and the Lipa City Sports Camp was shining golden and more colorful filled with determination, camaraderie, and the shared dream of young Lipeños aspiring to shine in the world of sports.
(With words by Arven Bravo, Lipa Status)
