What can we do to grow Pinoys interest and passion toward other sports besides basketball?

Question

Basketball is a popular sport that Filipinos love to play. And while we are very good at it, it is always better to introduce other sports to sharpen new skills and discover amazing talents that could bring more pride to the country.

There are also plenty of Filipino athletes who excel at other sports and who work hard at their craft too. These athletes deserve the same kind of support and opportunities from the government, the media, advertisers and fans.

Answer 1

First of all, i'm glad you asked that question. It's about time that Filipinos realize that basketball is not the only sport we can be good at. Manny has proved that in boxing, and Efren Reyes in pool. But so much for the relatively 'older' generation, what's in store for the younger generation? Basketball has always been popular in the Philippines since the American colonial period. Even politicians support it by putting up basketball courts as part of their community projects. I, for one play the sport, though not a super duper fan of it. I'm a soccer/ football player. I'm a swimmer, too. And okay, so I am an athlete and a contingent of Generation Y. What we can do is help popularize other sports by integrating them in our media, which is a very powerful communicating tool to us TV watchers. Why not have sports shows or something? Putting up clubs and organizations that will encourage the discovery of hidden talents and the mastering of skills is one way too. Also, we should recognize the Filipinos, especially the younger ones, who have brought honor to the country. In this way, other kids could see that if they could do it, why can't I? I guess Milo is doing that, by introducing Filipino athletes excelling in different sports played in the country, as seen in their green Milo sachets. The government could play a part in this endeavor as well. Although it may not become their priority for now, officials could at least show their support by showing up when they're invited to their own children's competitions, or in the tournaments/programs in their respective areas of influence. So something like that, Mr. Chris. This is my first time to give an Answer. Hope this one has been beneficial enough to be applied in the soonest time possible. =)

Answer 2

Exposure is a basic major problem. Basketball is very exposed in this country. Proving it, just look around you basketball courts are scattered all over the country not only that media is also a big influence on how it became famous but as i had experience basketball is a challenging sport and it is not too hard to introduce because whether you're a girl or a boy, rich or poor, lame or not..you could play it as long as you have the interest in learning it.,so we all know that the people will go on what is in. Just like what others point of view i guess education is the key., begin to educate students or people in a small community just like in school by promoting or introducing other sports besides basketball.. (this would help the country decrease crime rate.right?) For me, exposures of other sports in the country via formal education is one of the factor to grow pinoys interest and passion toward other sports besides basketball not only that but it will also help revive our traditional sports in the PhilippinesSoftball and soccer for example. Dami kaya may di alam kung ano ang softball. Pero, a lot of Filipinos are really good at softball and are joining international comepetitions. Yun nga lang, invitational and mga private conferences. They're really good but they aren't getting enough support from the Filipino masses. I would know because I'm a soccer player who has been to so much invitational competitions na.No amount of gold medals abroad (unless you're fighting for a WBC belt in boxing) and beatings you take can surpass the privileges and perks of becoming a basketball player in the PBA. PBA is a proprietary entity and will recruit the best players because it attracts fans and viewers who watch the games and watch the channels that boost the advertising rates of the time slot save the corporate sponsors of the basketball teams. We need marketing people to try to somehow effect some attitude changes to our people that basketball is not only the enjoyable sport for Filipinos. I think if we reward our unsung athletic heroes there is still hope for the country to shine in the field of sports. I hope time will come that corporations pay our football players as much as the basketball players.

Answer 3

Exposure is a basic major problem. Basketball is very exposed in this country. Proving it, just look around you basketball courts are scattered all over the country not only that media is also a big influence on how it became famous but as i had experience basketball is a challenging sport and it is not too hard to introduce because whether you're a girl or a boy, rich or poor, lame or not..you could play it as long as you have the interest in learning it.,so we all know that the people will go on what is in. Just like what others point of view i guess education is the key., begin to educate students or people in a small community just like in school by promoting or introducing other sports besides basketball.. (this would help the country decrease crime rate.right?) For me, exposures of other sports in the country via formal education is one of the factor to grow pinoys interest and passion toward other sports besides basketball not only that but it will also help revive our traditional sports in the PhilippinesSoftball and soccer for example. Dami kaya may di alam kung ano ang softball. Pero, a lot of Filipinos are really good at softball and are joining international comepetitions. Yun nga lang, invitational and mga private conferences. They're really good but they aren't getting enough support from the Filipino masses. I would know because I'm a soccer player who has been to so much invitational competitions na.No amount of gold medals abroad (unless you're fighting for a WBC belt in boxing) and beatings you take can surpass the privileges and perks of becoming a basketball player in the PBA. PBA is a proprietary entity and will recruit the best players because it attracts fans and viewers who watch the games and watch the channels that boost the advertising rates of the time slot save the corporate sponsors of the basketball teams. We need marketing people to try to somehow effect some attitude changes to our people that basketball is not only the enjoyable sport for Filipinos. I think if we reward our unsung athletic heroes there is still hope for the country to shine in the field of sports. I hope time will come that corporations pay our football players as much as the basketball players.

Answer 4

It's a good thing you thought of posting this question. I remember three or four years ago, when I was still in the Ateneo, this issue made its way to The Guidon.

Anyway, I believe that aside from including sports in formal education, creating sports-oriented youth groups will help in increasing the popularity of other sports. Soccer, softball, karate, etc. camps will help the youth in finding their interests and honing their skills. If they grow to become really good in these sports then chances are they'll become Efren Batas or Manny Pacquiaos who made billiards and boxing close to basketball in terms of popularity.

Likewise, media and other formal institutions like schools and government should also do their share. Personalities behind these sports should also be featured every once in a while. This is because Pinoys put more attention on teams and personalities rather than the technicalities. This holds true especially for the youth, who want to take after their role models.

Eventually, the government should encourage the setting up of sports centers and open fields for track and field, softball, football, etc. The reason Pinoys are so into basketball is because it's the only sport with the most available and accessible venue. Why not when almost every street has their own makeshift courts? Billiards come next. It used to be a kanto boy sport but due to Efren Bata and Jango Bustamante's achievement, more and more billiards halls were built and everyone wanted to take after them. The trend is now boxing because of Manny Paquiao's victories. Just look around you and see the mushrooming Elorde Gyms.

Answer 5

There should be some sort of sponsorship to develop interest and passion toward other sports besides basketball. The sponsor should be committed to support on a long term basis. Basketball, for instance, has been a passion of Filipinos for a very long time.

Media, of course plays an important role in sustaining interest.

The government's sports commission should sponsor competitions outside the country.

We should be competitive to draw attention to a sport.
Unfortunately, it may be difficult to compete in team sports outside the Philippines. We already thought that we excelled in basketball but still we fell short for the Beijing Olympics qualifier. Thus, we can only excel in individual sports such as boxing, bowling, billiards, golf or maybe fencing.

By the way, Filipinos are awed by good-looking, charismatic and of course, talented athletes. Therefore, if the athlete is good-looking or beautiful, media and the public become interested. Take for instance Leila Barros, the Brazilian Volleyball player. She became the darling of the Filipinos because she was a talented volleyball player and had relatively good looks as well. Filipinos are not even volleyball fanatics. David Beckham is another example. He is being used to draw Americans to be interested in soccer/football.

GO ATENEO! :)

Answer 6

Through my observation our kababayan now a days is into basketball not to mention, no other sports. Exposure is a basic major problem. Basketball is very exposed in this country. Proving it, just look around you basketball courts are scattered all over the country not only that media is also a big influence on how it became famous but as i had experience basketball is a challenging sport and it is not too hard to introduce because whether you're a girl or a boy, rich or poor, lame or not..you could play it as long as you have the interest in learning it.,so we all know that the people will go on what is in. Just like what others point of view i guess education is the key., begin to educate students or people in a small community just like in school by promoting or introducing other sports besides basketball.. (this would help the country decrease crime rate.right?) For me, exposures of other sports in the country via formal education is one of the factor to grow pinoys interest and passion toward other sports besides basketball not only that but it will also help revive our traditional sports in the PhilippinesSoftball and soccer for example. Dami kaya may di alam kung ano ang softball. Pero, a lot of Filipinos are really good at softball and are joining international comepetitions. Yun nga lang, invitational and mga private conferences. They're really good but they aren't getting enough support from the Filipino masses. I would know because I'm a soccer player who has been to so much invitational competitions na.

Answer 7

Through my observation our kababayan now a days is into basketball not to mention, no other sports. Exposure is a basic major problem. Basketball is very exposed in this country. Proving it, just look around you basketball courts are scattered all over the country not only that media is also a big influence on how it became famous but as i had experience basketball is a challenging sport and it is not too hard to introduce because whether you're a girl or a boy, rich or poor, lame or not..you could play it as long as you have the interest in learning it.,so we all know that the people will go on what is in. Just like what others point of view i guess education is the key., begin to educate students or people in a small community just like in school by promoting or introducing other sports besides basketball.. (this would help the country decrease crime rate.right?) For me, exposures of other sports in the country via formal education is one of the factor to grow pinoys interest and passion toward other sports besides basketball not only that but it will also help revive our traditional sports in the Philippines. and alas make other sports interesting and exciting to look at,so that others will not have a hard time try and enjoy it.

Answer 8

it is usually blended with our culture. Through my observation our kababayan now a days is into basketball not to mention, no other sports. Exposure is a basic major problem. Basketball is very exposed in this country. Proving it, just look around you basketball courts are scattered all over the country not only that media is also a big influence on how it became famous but as i had experience basketball is a challenging sport and it is not too hard to introduce because whether you're a girl or a boy, rich or poor, lame or not..you could play it as long as you have the interest in learning it.,so we all know that the people will go on what is in. Just like what others point of view i guess education is the key., begin to educate students or people in a small community just like in school by promoting or introducing other sports besides basketball.. (this would help the country decrease crime rate.right?) For me, exposures of other sports in the country via formal education is one of the factor to grow pinoys interest and passion toward other sports besides basketball not only that but it will also help revive our traditional sports in the Philippines

Answer 9

Just like what others point of view i guess education is the key., begin to educate students or people in a small community just like in school by promoting or introducing other sports besides basketball.. (this would help the country decrease crime rate.right?) For me, exposures of other sports in the country via formal education is one of the factor to grow pinoys interest and passion toward other sports besides basketball not only that but it will also help revive our traditional sports in the PhilippinesSoftball and soccer for example. Dami kaya may di alam kung ano ang softball. Pero, a lot of Filipinos are really good at softball and are joining international comepetitions. Yun nga lang, invitational and mga private conferences. They're really good but they aren't getting enough support from the Filipino masses. I would know because I'm a soccer player who has been to so much invitational competitions na.No amount of gold medals abroad (unless you're fighting for a WBC belt in boxing) and beatings you take can surpass the privileges and perks of becoming a basketball player in the PBA. PBA is a proprietary entity and will recruit the best players because it attracts fans and viewers who watch the games and watch the channels that boost the advertising rates of the time slot save the corporate sponsors of the basketball teams. We need marketing people to try to somehow effect some attitude changes to our people that basketball is not only the enjoyable sport for Filipinos. I think if we reward our unsung athletic heroes there is still hope for the country to shine in the field of sports. I hope time will come that corporations pay our football players as much as the basketball players.

Answer 10

I think the reason why basketball is so popular in the Philippines is because of the American influence we had. Through time we have developed this into a passion that we have started a pro league in the country. Let's admit it, there's more opportunity for male cagers in the country, because we have the PBA that has become a profitable enterprise and being a pro basketball player is more financially feasible than being a football player in the country. How many athletes from other sports such as Taekwondo, football, badminton ,etc get more endorsements and salaries as compared to a PBA superstar? A very good player may get as much as 700,000 a month (not counting the endorsements) and a boxer under the payroll of the national team gets less than 20,000 a month. Not a lot of them end up like Manny Pacquiao. How many people know Antoinette Rivero compared to the dozens of PBA stars who earn more than her when this Jin has the potential to earn a gold medal in the next Olympics. She is bemedalled and has earned more medals in the international scene even when you put together most of these basketball players. How many people know Sanshou player Rene Catalan who has won a couple of gold medals in Wushu Sanshou in international competitions. The reason is clear: it's a matter of choosing priorities. No amount of gold medals abroad (unless you're fighting for a WBC belt in boxing) and beatings you take can surpass the privileges and perks of becoming a basketball player in the PBA. PBA is a proprietary entity and will recruit the best players because it attracts fans and viewers who watch the games and watch the channels that boost the advertising rates of the time slot save the corporate sponsors of the basketball teams. We need marketing people to try to somehow effect some attitude changes to our people that basketball is not only the enjoyable sport for Filipinos. I think if we reward our unsung athletic heroes there is still hope for the country to shine in the field of sports. I hope time will come that corporations pay our football players as much as the basketball players.

Answer 11

I think the reason why basketball is so popular in the Philippines is because of the American influence we had. Through time we have developed this into a passion that we have started a pro league in the country. Let's admit it, there's more opportunity for male cagers in the country, because we have the PBA that has become a profitable enterprise and being a pro basketball player is more financially feasible than being a football player in the country. How many athletes from other sports such as Taekwondo, football, badminton ,etc get more endorsements and salaries as compared to a PBA superstar? A very good player may get as much as 700,000 a month (not counting the endorsements) and a boxer under the payroll of the national team gets less than 20,000 a month. Not a lot of them end up like Manny Pacquiao. How many people know Antoinette Rivero compared to the dozens of PBA stars who earn more than her when this Jin has the potential to earn a gold medal in the next Olympics. She is bemedalled and has earned more medals in the international scene even when you put together most of these basketball players. How many people know Sanshou player Rene Catalan who has won a couple of gold medals in Wushu Sanshou in international competitions. The reason is clear: it's a matter of choosing priorities. No amount of gold medals abroad (unless you're fighting for a WBC belt in boxing) and beatings you take can surpass the privileges and perks of becoming a basketball player in the PBA. PBA is a proprietary entity and will recruit the best players because it attracts fans and viewers who watch the games and watch the channels that boost the advertising rates of the time slot save the corporate sponsors of the basketball teams. We need marketing people to try to somehow effect some attitude changes to our people that basketball is not only the enjoyable sport for Filipinos. I think if we reward our unsung athletic heroes there is still hope for the country to shine in the field of sports. I hope time will come that corporations pay our football players as much as the basketball players.