In a bid to enhance the skills and capabilities of athletes by providing comprehensive training programs, Team Lakay and the Department of Education – Benguet recently signed a memorandum of agreement that will provide access to world-class coaching and facilities to athletes.
The memorandum, signed by Team Lakay head coach Mark Sangiao and DepEd – Benguet schools division superintendent Sally Banaken-Ullalim, also aims to foster a collaborative environment for the continuous improvement of student-athletes in the areas of Wushu Sanshou, MMA, and other relevant martial arts disciplines.
“It’s good that we now have a formal agreement with DepEd. Team Lakay is ready to open its door to give assistance to our young people and athletes and this will further elevate their sport performance, especially combative sports in Benguet,” Sangiao said. “Not only that, this will help the youth avoid bad vices and help them grow mentally and their attitude.”
Both parties, under the memorandum, will also work together to develop and implement a comprehensive athlete development program, including but not limited to technical skill training, strength and conditioning, and mental preparation.
Team Lakay will also establish sports clinics in every municipality of Benguet to promote sports development and foster local talent while DepEd will provide necessary funding and resources for the implementation of training programs.
“We started with Benguet National High School and Tublay High School and this time with the MOA, mas extensive yung commitment natin, with the aid of Cong Eric Yap,” added Sangiao.
Under the MOA, DepEd and Team Lakay will collaborate to schedule training sessions and other related activities and ensure that athletes attend and participate actively in all scheduled programs and sessions.
The memorandum also states while Team Lakay develops and implements free comprehensive training programs tailored to the needs of the athletes, DepEd will monitor and evaluate the progress of athletes and provide feedback to Team Lakay.
As part of the training, Team Lakay should provide experienced coaches and trainers to conduct the training sessions and allow all athletes under the program to access the team’s facilities for training purposes.
With DepEd – Benguet taking the first step in honing student athletes, the MOA ensures that the benefits of the partnership reach a broad spectrum and by integrating the training programs into the school sports curriculum, the initiative aims to empower the youth and instill a culture of excellence in sports from a young age.
The collaboration also emphasizes the importance of education, ensuring that student-athletes maintain a balance between their academic and athletic pursuits aiming to produce not only exceptional athletes but also well-educated individuals who can contribute positively to society. Roderick Osis