The Philippine Sports Commission through the Pilipinas Para Games (PPG) has started the three-part webinar series on handling and training differently-abled athletes in the country on Sept. 20.
The PSC reported more than 800 para-athletes, coaches, and local government representatives were invited to be part of the activity, which aims to address the need for a truly comprehensive grassroots sports development program for the PWD community.
“We heeded the call of PSC Chair (Butch) Ramirez for the transformation and further development of para-sports. This webinar will not only raise awareness but will also boost our knowledge on handling them,” said PSC Oversight Commissioner for para-athletes Arnold Agustin.
The webinar was launched weeks after the culmination of the 2020 Tokyo Para Games where six Filipino para-athletes, including Jerrold Mangwilan of Tabuk City, Kalinga saw action in Japan.
National Council on Disability Affairs Regional Programs Officer Randy Calsena and 2000 Summer Paralympics powerlifting bronze medalist Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta spearheaded the first webinar, sharing their expertise on the topic of “Sensitivity Webinar on Handling and Training Para-Athletes.”
The second webinar on Sept. 21 focused on the “Classification of Para-Athletes,” with Dr. Maria Concepcion Fabreo-Anda of the Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists-National Classifier for Visually Impaired, and Dr. Raul Michael Cembrano of the Philippine Orthopedic Center-Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Chief and Philippine Paralympic Committee head classifier for physical impairment as lecturers.
The third webinar set on Nov. 22 will focus on the “Rights and Privileges of Para-Athletes in the Philippines.”
“These topics give a great opportunity for our sporting community to be informed about the fundamental and scientific approach of para-sports, and ultimately emulate the recent success of our Tokyo Pa-ralympians,” Agustin said. – PSC release
April 20, 2024
