SJNHS Athletes Comparably Skillful, Need Support
MENTOR AND PROTÉGÉ. Mr. Jerry Lazaro, badminton coach teamed-up with one of his players during a training session.
Coaches in San Juan National High School are leaving no stones unturned to ensure better chances of qualifying in athletic meets this year that screenings and try-outs of players commenced as early as July.
Aiming big to represent the NCR in Palarong Pambansa this year, the coaches in this school are giving their best to produce highly competent athletes to the extent that they allocated even their weekends in training the young sportsmen.
It can be recalled that the Division of San Juan managed to send delegates from privates schools only in last year’s Regional Athletic Meet as players of SJNHS found it difficult to penetrate pass through the athletes coming from other more equipped schools.
The coaches are positive though claiming that the school’s players are highly capable.
“Definitely our players are as comparably skillful as those coming from other places,” said Mr. Jerry Lazaro, coach of the badminton team adding that while the players are extremely trainable they were not getting the right kind of support they ought to be getting.
“If only our athletes are well-equipped, if only they are provided with the right training venues and if they are given enough training time, I am confident they can deliver.” Lazaro stated.
The coach lamented how they got substandard badminton rackets when supposedly the given budget should have provided them with durable ones.
Another issue he raised was how teachers would fail to show support to the school athletes, not giving considerations even when the students’ would be success is for the school itself
“It’s always the same scenario, students will be excused for training, they would get low, failing marks, and would not be given necessary remediation,” said Lazaro.
Mr. Mark Adrian Espinosa shared the same sentiment. Espinosa who is the coach for the track and field stated that consolations from other teachers are important since the entire school will benefit from any good result.
“The students are already facing too much. The least the school can do is to show support,” Espinosa started.
He even gave a glimpse of how difficult it was for the students let alone failing their subjects, “Imagine the trouble of commuting from here to Marikina just to use their track oval. Also, we ourselves would pay for the entrance fee. That’s what we are lacking here in San Juan, proper venues to train.”
Hopes are still high though that SJNHS’ athletic teams will one day be part in bringing the NCR at the forefront.
According to Mr. Lazaro, alumni would be lending support every now and then. Some would give financial support, some would give even further.
Marvin Redoña, now a grade 11 student, would help Mr. Lazaro train new players every Saturday. He used to be part of the badminton team back in Junior High School
“I too dream that one day, players of SJNHS will reach not only the Palarong Pambansa but join international competitions as well, that’s why I am giving back,” Redoña stated.
An African proverb says, “It takes a whole village to raise a child.” Similarly, it would take a whole communal effort to bring the SJNHS athletes to eventual success.
