An open sports letter to the poll winners

IN democratic societies, citizens are encouraged to write to their leaders to voice their sentiments or positions on issues.

The expression, “Write to your Congressman,” or any elected official for that matter, has probably been redefined today by social media as Facebook and Twitter seem to be the sounding boards of recent choice.

But now that the midterm elections are over and the despondent cries of the defeated and the legalese of the lawyers take center stage, it is time to buckle down to the business of governance.

There will be proclamations and the raising of the victors’ hands. With each declared winner, our hopes are raised even for a moment that maybe change is indeed possible or that the good deeds that have been started will continue.

As the hoopla subsides and the priorities of governance become strikingly clear, we hope that this open letter to the winning candidates will not be lost:

Dear Winning Candidate:

Congratulations on your victory.

We the electorate hope that the euphoria of your triumph will carry over to your term in office. May your campaign promises be a constant reminder when governance becomes hard and when the pressures of vested interests and another term pull you in different directions.

We care for sports in this country and will wait as you sort out the priorities. We know that poverty, economics, livelihood, health and sanitation and other facets of governance will occupy the bulk of your working hours. There will only be so many hours in a day and only so many meetings you can attend.  Sports will probably have to wait patiently along the sidelines.

But when you do get the time, don’t just order the construction of still another basketball court. A covered one does serve many purposes and that’s why they are subsequently named multi-purpose halls in our country.  Cultural shows, graduations, product launches, community film showings and other activities fit perfectly in the dimensions of a basketball court.

Your consultations with the community can also happen there.

What we really need in every barangay or town is a more active sports program that encourages grassroots athletic discovery and development as well as participation by most members of the community. A basketball court is limited to those who can still play and will most likely become the private domain of those who frequent the facility.

We need track ovals and walking areas, swimming pools, tennis courts and even better indoor sports facilities inside schools and universities. All these cost money, of course, but there are programs where the national government and the private sector can help in their construction.

We also need programs where young people can learn about sports and make it their passion or at least a means to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle. If livelihood programs can be initiated in farm lands or fishing areas, sports programs can also be started and maintained in schools or barangays.

We will wait but do call us when you need a hand for a sports endeavor.  Sports programs are never easy to start and maintain because they do require money and time, both of which there are a shortage of throughout the country. But we do believe there is no shortage of a political will to make sports an integral part of national building.

Yours very truly,

Your constituents