EXPATS with Children Liviing in Sports Deprived Nation.. Footbal/Soccer Anyone!!

Hello Expats Ladies & Gents,

Since coming back after a 5 year leave have things improved here in Dumaguete, or in Phills for that much.?

We are an avid sports family. Back in the States we went on nature hikes, bike rides and played soccer.

Seemingly Dumaguete is severely lacking in :

Safe, new playgrounds for kids ( and yes alot of us have children born here to Filipina wives)
Sports fields: National pastimes of Baseball, Football, and my beloved sport I played in Italy.. Calcio-Football or Soccer)
Ok out of the the big 3 Soccer is the most affordable..requires: Land, Goals , GRass, LIme markers, Balls, and most importantly players.. the kids who IM sure would love the game.. Lets go Expats of US, Europe, UK the game is big.. often said a British invention..
If we wait for Filipinos to make a pitch as we say in Brooklyn FORGEDDABOUT IT!

NO youth teams exist.. Im training my 5 year old boy now in the Sports Complex.. but the pitch ( just about the best in Dumageute ive seen) is in dire need of re grassing..

by 5 pm there is a myriad of FRisbee throwers, and Soccer pick up games.. which I participate in.,,. but the kids are on the sideline watching thgeir big brother Kuya play.. or watching a bunch of pinay run around a track..

by 6 pm there are swarms of people.. but the kids are just mulling about..

So I beg the question

How much would it take for us to colletively form a INcorp town raise money and build a couple of Pitches with a playground on site ..


Looking for Feedback at this point.. as I continue to play at the Sports Complex..

btw they charge 10 peso for adults for children free..

the Pool is 20 peso for adults , 15 for children..elementary school is 10
the facilities are run down.. thank God at least I smell chlorine i the water..

Regards

Willy , Yaya & Giovanni

 

Yes, I agree with you that in an ideal world there would be more sports facilities for kids. Basketball is the national sport, but can only be played competitively when Filipino teams play other Filipino or Asian teams, height (or the lack of it) being a prime factor. Football (soccer) is fast becoming a firm favourite and some pundits predict that it will become the number one sport here in a few years time. The Azkals team have done a great deal to promote it.

But, with the huge amount of damage that Sendong caused, and now the mammoth task of repairing even the most basic elements of the infrastructure, I'm afraid sports facilities will be a long way down the list of priorities for a while.

Roger

 

Hi Roger.

yes that is form the Filipino standpoint. which I believe they would never invest in their youth.. ok basketball courts 5 players aside.. its not my fav sport in the least.. Im more of a Hockey guy but Ice in SE Asia will not happen for millions of years..
IM talking about from Expats.. not the Pinoy Govt.. for a nation of Family oriented people.. sure isnt much in the way of things to do with the kids.. most of them mull about in the mall..or play Video games..
we expats already have raised the standard of living by improving housing.. buying old properties or buidling and hiring local folks to build.. now we need to take the initiative to build sports flields, maybe better golf, soccer,, hike, bike trails..
if we want to raise the bar on our lifetsyle here..

 

raising a bar in my lifestyle ... I am on ...

:dnr:
Rhoody

oops, apologies did only read the last line... shame on me...

 

It's an honorable idea, but if people want to join in, there are a few things to think about. How many Million's? Who will find the land without a commission if it exists near town ? What will the golf places think if there is new competition? Will it be approved? Who will be in charge to collect the coins?

Don't want to rain on the parade, but with my budget I will raise the bar with Rhoody.

Cheers, Ron

 

I'm thinking the same as expatron here. Its an honorable idea but many difficulties and flaws. Finding the land and building is the least of the issues. But security and upkeep are some major issues as well. Like a playground for instance keeping all the equipment repaired and managed (the city won't, just look at the playground next to McDonalds park area). If a football (soccer) field what about making sure nets, wood, metal and so forth aren't stolen and kept repaired. What about making sure some decent turf to play on and its upkeep?

Of course the bigger issue sadly is where will we get the kids? Seriously? Look at the park next to McDonalds, a few things were repaired but kids don't play on them. At most adults or kids sit on them and just waste time. This means someone has to actually manage things and promote things. But also many of the kids will be in school and if not doing chores or slave like work for their families after school/weekends. If not that simply getting down to where the field is wherever that is as sadly its unlikely to be downtown or even close to downtown area as lots that size are hard to come by and would be very hefty on price.

Those who could manage would be richer peoples kids and those are the kids more likely to be sitting in net cafes all day long playing games, having a PSP, XBox or whatever at home and so forth.

I just don't see it actually working as you hope because of the lifestyle here. I'd also much rather support a nice Public Library and trying to make sure it has a nice collection of books. I think that would have a better chance as long as one can find a reasonable solution to the chance of books not being returned. But I doubt their is much of a black market for books vs the scrap metal from slides at a park hehe.

 

hey thanks for your thoughts.. public library that would awesome too and why not a Museum too.. but that Im sure is mega bucks..there is a library but not too much inside..
a sports complex is a far reach by Philippine standards.. and unlike our Sundays back home whereby every football pitch and baseball diamond is occupied.. here on Sunday the sports areas are empty..closed..Family day.. well if most of them are out of work anyway isnt everyday family day or just another excuse to get drunk..ok so we are not talking about locals here for reinvestment into the community..of Expats who many have children from second, third or 4th wife's. etc.. the point is if I am going to ever think about staying here even 6 mos out of the year..there has to be more to do for us and our families.. forget about the locals...they dont get it and never will. as much as I always reach out to give... the street kids.. the street musicians...
this has to be a concerted effort on the expats.. and maybe just maybe the wealthier business owners albeit foreign or local who ought to reinvest in their community..

 

Still many expats children will be engaged in other things such as their PSP, computer, whatnot. Look these days in the US and you see fewer and fewer kids outside playing after the age of 10 unless kicked out of the house by parents for the afternoon. With that I really doubt would get enough participation to really do anything unless one can manage to appeal to the upper class filipino families as well (which I don't see sports doing).

 

Yep better they spend the afternoon looking for a job.......:D

 

Well, I wish Filipinos would have interest in kenjutsu or jujitsu.Or at least their own escrima/arnis/kali....

Yeah right...