STUDENT-ATHLETES who were physically, mentally, and emotionally bogged down by the two-year COVID-19 pandemic can get key tips in coping with the virus crisis through the first virtual Youth Empowerment Through Sports Summit organized by XMPLR on Saturday and Sunday.
“After two years of putting their lives on hold, our youth is faced with pandemic-borne challenges that can hinder them from tapping their potential and finding opportunities to thrive in the real world,” said XMPLR’s chief sports advocate Robbie de Vera.
“By leveraging on the power of sports and the support of the sports community, the YES Summit hopes to unlock the youth’s potential and enable them to become their own catalyst of change amidst today’s realities,” De Vera noted during an online press launch of the event yesterday.
The former Milo Sports executive revealed they have lined up a bevy of resource speakers who will help the participants in addressing the mental, emotional and physical issues arising from the pandemic conditions that have drastically altered their outlooks and lifestyles.
“Versus any other generation, millennials have been severely affected by the pandemic the most, which had a detrimental effect on almost all aspects of our life–in school, in our relationships and most especially for student-athletes, with their sports,” said the Goal Diggers Youth’s co-project manager, Lian Bautista.
Bautista said they hoped that the six personalities and speakers they have invited will “inspire, empower and engage” participants with their own experiences and expert advice, opening with Kat Tan, known locally as the “One-Armed Mamba” for her outstanding basketball skills using one arm.
Also invited are SMART Sports head Jude Turcuato, who will talk about the value of sports in and beyond the court and Filipino-American basketball coach Hernando Planells, who will share the importance of self-management.
The second day will have the Philippine Sports Commission’s Sports Psychology unit chief, Dr. Karen Trinidad, discussing the importance of mental health, while sports entrepreneur Toby Claudio, president of Toby’s Sports, will provide tips on how to be an elite athlete.
Registration for the YES Summit is free. For more information, like and follow The Goal Diggers PH page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGoalDiggersPH/.
