Utap Basketball Court for the Alaska Basketball Program last July 16 I fully expected to see just boys joining the exercise.
I was pleasantly surprised to see almost as many girls running, shouting and playing basketball just as enthusiastically as the boys. Apparently, girls want equal time for an equal chance to engage in sports especially basketball taught by professional coaches.
Don Vicente Quintero Memorial School teacher Mary Grace Batucan explained that times have changed and girls want to participate in sports just as much as boys do.
“Ngayon alam natin na may tinatawag na gender equality. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na lalaki lang ang pwede maglaro ng basketball. Pwede ring maglaro ang mga babae,” said Batucan.
“Hindi naman ibig sabihin ang larong basketball ay para lang sa mga lalaki. Pwede ring maglaro ang mga babae. Pwede ma-develop ang sportsmanship, ang camaraderie, ang teamwork ng mga babae. This Alaska basketball program is a way to help them.”
The school children were treated to a nutritious breakfast and then taught the fundamentals of basketball by Alaska’s basketball coaches.
They were taught basketball skills such as the proper way to run, jump, dribble and shoot. More importantly, they were taught important values such as sportsmanship, teamwork, having the right attitude and respect for one another.
“Sa mga batang babae this will be a valuable experience for them. Magandang experience. Nakakalabas sila outside their barangay. Paraan ito para ma-build ang interes nila sa sport na ito,” said Batucan.
“Sa barangay namin merong basketball court. Actually mayroong liga noong summer lamang. Iyong mga batang iyan sumali sila sa nakaraang liga. Iyong mga bata na kasama ngayon.”
Alaska helps provide proper nutrition through its programs and advocacies. And more than providing proper nutrition, Alaska also teaches the importance of living an active and healthy lifestyle through activities like the basketball clinic.
In Tacloban – as in anywhere else around the country – girls apparently want equal time for equal play. Reuel Vidal