Cebu Football

(This is my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu's July 18 edition) I GOT a message from Rep. Samsam Gullas last Wednesday, a reaction to what I wrote last time (Politics will derail Talisay Sports Academy) and what the congressman said is music to a sports fan’s ear. The Academy won’t be dependent on funds from Talisay City. “I know politics will always play a part in the implementation of the sports academy, but for the funding, we could ask from the national government, which will be able to help us,” Samsam said in his message. “If we will ask the funds from Talisay, it would be difficult even if the mayor is allied with me. They can help with the implementation of the policies, but in terms of funds for the infrastructure, we need to ask it from the national government, so it would be included in the GAA,” he said.

(This is my Fair Play column for Sun.Star Cebu's July 15 edition) LAST month, while we were groaning collectively at another miserable stint in the Southeast Asian Games, there was a major development in the local sports scene, one that's supposed to address the ills of sports in the country. The Senate passed its version of House Bill 4461, originally authored by Cebu Rep. Samsam Gullas, establishing the Talisay Sports Academy and Training Center. Sen. Sonny Angara, in approving the bill, hopes the Academy will be the premier primary sports development and training center in Cebu and hopes it would jumpstart grassroots development. Yeah, right, and I'm going to be the next superstar in D'Voice Kids.