Reaching Communities through Sports

Inspired and coached by the late Father Silverio Ablaza (top, center), young STA tennis enthusiasts learn the basics of the sport.

The importance of teaching sports to individuals at a young age cannot only engender skills in sports, but can also cultivate life skills necessary for their growth and development. 
    In communities such as Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya that see children and want them to reach their full potential, they saw sports as a way to inspire and promote respect and discipline among themselves

​    The Tan Yan Kee Foundation, Inc. reinforced this noble endeavor through the promotion of the sport Tennis not only to students of Saint Teresita’s Academy (STA) of Aritao but to the whole community as well.
   With the coaches and top athletes from MAC’S CrankIt Tennis Academy (MCTA) – Philippines, the Foundation went to STA to conduct free tennis clinic to students of STA where they gathered 26 interested participants who were either eager to improve their skills or willing to learn the sport for the first time.
    John David Velez and Sal Andrei Lago, the two young athletes who came all the way from Davao and Leyte inspired participating students and enthusiasts who came to watch their doubles exhibition match with coaches Franklin Encarnacion and Ervin Concepcion. The athletes were also participants in the 2018 Palarong Pambansa held in Vigan. Through skills and perseverance, they showed that sports can bring them to different places. 
    After the exhibition matches with MCTA players, a friendly match between them and Aritao young tennis players further encouraged them to play the sport. The 26 participants were introduced to the history of Tennis, basics and proper techniques, and drills on accuracy and agility to improve confidence and accelerate learning. On the second day, practice games and eye and hand coordination training were done which the students definitely enjoyed.
    Overall, the activity was a success with the coaches seeing the students’ individual potential in becoming better than who they were during the training. TYKFI and MCTA felt blessed to have reached a community willing to dedicate their time and effort to join in inspiring many others through sports.
    MAC’s CrankIt Tennis Academy - Philippines is under the MAC’s CrankIt Foundation based in Australia. MCF is a non-profit organization whose aim was to change lives and empower individuals and communities through sports and community service.