DepEd holds special coaching for differently-abled athletes
(PRESS RELEASE)
Did you know that differently-abled athletes need a system of talent identification, coaching and training that caters to their specific needs?
This is the reason why the Department of Education and the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently-Abled, National Paralympic Committee of the Philippines (PHILSPADA-NPC Philippines) conduct basic and advanced training of trainors and coaches as well as technical and classification seminars for differently-abled persons.
Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC said there is a need to establish a pool of coaches, trainors, technical officials and classifiers who will help differently-abled athletes in all levels of competition.
Based on DepEd Memorandum 100, series of 2012, the training program is aimed at organizing and training of coaches and trainors on the proper system of coaching and training of differently-abled athletes.
“Part of inclusive education is giving our differenty-abled athletes the kind of training and other support services they need to optimize their potential as a total person,” said Luistro.
The training program will also lead to the identification of outstanding differently-abled athletes and the installation of a correct classification for visually impaired and orthopedically handicapped athletes.
The training has three components, namely, training of trainers and coaches, technical and classification seminars and talent identification. It will be held separately in Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon. The first leg was in Mindanao on June 22 to 24 at the University of Mindanao in Davao City which was attended by coaches and athletes from Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, and CARAGA.
The next leg will be at the Abellana Sports Complex in Cebu City on July 4 to 8 where coaches and athletes from Regions 6, 7, and 8 will participate. The last leg will be conducted on September 21 to 23 at the Narcisio Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan for coaches and athletes of Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A, 4-B, Region 5, National Capital Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region.
The participating athletes for the talent identification in athletics, swimming, table tennis, goalball, futsal, and boccia are those who are orthopedically handicapped and visually impaired. The training may be used by PHILSPADA-NPC Philippines as basis in selecting members of the Philippine team for international competitions.