2015 Mindanao Blue Knights Meets Season 2

2015 Mindanao Blue Knights Meet Season 2

Continued from Season 1

2015 November Roundup Philippines Athletics – Blue Knights Track League Season 2: An Invitation to Raise Athletics Culture in the Philippines

 

Blue Knights Track League Athletes/Participants during the “First Conference” (July-October,2015)

In its second season, the Blue Knights Track League paves the way as the first localized. And independent Athletics meet in the Philippines. Coach Prof. Airnel T. Abarra heads the Ateneo de Davao University Track and Field Team. The Blue Knights Track League invites local athletes in Davao Region and other teams clubs in Mindanao.

Under the auspices of the Ateneo de Davao Office of the Athletics under Coach Emmanuel Rene “Noli” Ayo and the Ateneo de Davao University Varsity Parents Council. The league offers a better experience for athletes and coaches in the region by meeting icons of the Philippine Athletics in its “First Conference” in July-November 2015 with Elma Muros,

Katherine Khay Santos and Saturnino “Titus” Salazar as guest speakers.

 

Starting from just 5 teams, the Blue Knights Track League reaches Davao Region and Koronadal City.

With nearly 80 athletes joining the events per month.

As they close their successful “second season,” they are inviting teams from different regions in the Philippines. Both in grassroots and élite levels to take part in the Blue Knights Track League Invitationals on 29-31 January 2016. The three-day event is not only an athletics competition but also includes training camps, coaching pep talks, and socials.

As of press time, Scottish Athletics Alumni Gary Grieve will grace the events to talk about “Education Through Sport.” Making Blue Knights Track League a one-step game-changer in Athletics by providing an innovative approach to organizing Track Meets in the Philippines.

 For further details, please download the attached invitation or contact Prof. Airnel T. Abarra

at +63-920-221-0512 or email airnel.abarra@gmail.com

 

2. Blue Knights Track League Goes Live Streaming: A First in Philippine Athletics

DAVAO CITY- With its aim to further raise the culture of Philippine Athletics, the Blue Knights Track League (BKTL) Finals will be broadcast on the full internet. Live streaming from the Ateneo de Davao University, Fr. Martinez Sports Complex Track Oval on 30 January 2016.

BKTL Meet Manager/Commissioner Prof. Airnel T. Abarra confirmed this after he met with officials of the Institutional Communications and Promotions Office (iCommP). Headed by Paolo Villanueva with Igy Castrillo and Assistant to the President for Information

Technology Bernie Jereza expressed interest in this kind of initiative.

 Prof. Airnel T. Abarra (Center) with Mr. Bernie Jereza  (left) and Igy Castrillo (right) of the Ateneo de Davao University iCommP department on their meeting for the feasibility of internet life streaming the Blue Knights Track and Field Finals.

 

So far, the live streaming of the event is a first for Philippine Athletics.

The country’s mainstream sports, such as Basketball, Boxing, Billiards, and Volleyball, are commonly broadcast-ed. But now, followers of Athletics in the Philippines will have the convenience of viewing the BKTL from the comfort of their computers and smartphones.

Athletes like Kris Nicole Batohanon (Blue Jersey) and Jean Christine Pongaron (Yellow and Aquamarine Singlet) will greatly benefit the reach of the Blue Knights Track League Finals.

In Athletics competitions outside the Philippines. it is commonly observed that their events in Athletics are well documented and broadcast even; it is a simple inter-club competition. However, given that Athletics followers in the Philippines are a minority stakeholder in Philippine Sports, it is advocated to think creatively to promote the sport and not just depend on the usual means of communication.

 Elma Muros-Posadas and Katherine Khay Santos with the Ateneo de Davao Track and Field Family. During the Blue Knights Track League opening in July 2015. We are inviting you to join us for the finals on 30 January 2016

Indeed, the internet live stream broadcast of the Blue Knights Track League is a trailblazer in Philippine Athletics; despite its humble background and minimal resources, it sets the pace to make the sport more appealing to the masses and reach the widest audience proving we can support more the sport through creative means and not settling on mediocrity.

 

3. Blue Knights Track League Season 2 Finals: Setting Firsts in Philippine Athletics (results & Full Video included)

DAVAO CITY– With a total of 15 teams and full internet live-streaming coverage. The Blue Knights Track League Season two finals paved the way to setting new heights in Philippine Athletics Culture. Being the only truly independent and sustainable Athletics (Track) competition in the Philippines.

Athletes from Davao Region and Team Titus from National Capital Region converged at the Fr. Martinez Sports Complex, Ateneo de Davao University– Matina Campus on January 30.

Showcasing that regular and consistent meets are a way to raise the culture of Athletics in the Philippines.

Blue Knights Track League showcased how Athletics meets in the Philippines on a grassroots level with innovation and independence.

 www.pinoyathletics.info has been a constant media partner of the Blue Knights Track League. The event runs for two “seasons” without asking any single centavo from politicians, government agencies, and the National Sports Association for Athletics.

 The BK Track League’s proponents, Prof. Airnel T. Abarra (airnel.abarra@gmail.com) with the Ateneo de Davao University- Office of the Athletics headed by Emmanuel Rene S. Ayo, proved that innovation and thinking “out of the box” is a way to promote the sport.

 

We will discuss how BK Track League can be a “first” model for other clubs and local government units to look at. Management–

By giving a chance for other people to become accredited technical officials, especially students. BK Track League used volunteerism as a way to give a strong staff during the event.

Tapping students, former varsity athletes, and other stakeholders to be properly recognized as National Technical Officials. By doing this, the event will push through even without tapping other technical officials that will act based on the merits of their respective agencies’ bureaucracy.

 

Independence

As we cited earlier, BK Track League never asked for a single centavo from any government official or even the National Sports Association for Athletics (PATAFA).

Through constant communication from different stakeholders who are truly concerned with the sport in the Davao Region.

Through the Ateneo de Davao Varsity Parents Council, BK Track League provided people and groups to ask for food, refreshments, and simple incentives. The BK organizers want to instill athletes’ values not dependent on money but on the game’s love.

 

That’s why we are very thankful to our main partners:

• 818 Sports
• HAWK Backpacks
• SMART
• VIBELLE Distribution
• St. Francis Shell Stations
• Creating Keepsakes Cafe/Restaurant
• Pichola Bakeshop.

 

Innovation

The experimental internet live-streaming coverage of the BK Season 2 Finals is a first in Philippine Athletics. To our knowledge, there is no local Athletics event in the Philippines aired live for the past five years. Thanks to the Ateneo de Davao Technical Services Office (TSO) efforts and Institutional Communications and Promotions Office (iCommP). Headed by Mr. Bernie Jereza- Assistant to the President for IT and Paolo VillanuevaiCommp, Chief Creative Director, the BK Track League could reach relatives of athletes and foreign Athletics journalists.

 

Culture

By putting attention to details such as calling the athletes well and providing them a specific area where they can be screened and warm up, BK Track League proved that it could think of other ways to make it better by making athletes feel they are real athletes and can be organized properly.

The learning process is through inviting role models in Philippine Athletics such as Elma Muros-Posadas,  Katherine Khay Santos (July 2015), Andrew Pirie, and Saturnino Salazar (August 2015). It gives athletes something to look at. And they can see that Philippine Athletics icons are within their reach, and they have something to be proud of.

An Invitation-With all been said and done. The Blue Knights Track League Organizers were already gearing up for the Season 3 Opening in July 2016.

So far, they are already looking on for a “reunion run” of two legends in Philippine Athletics, which we can’t disclose as of this time.

Still, we look forward to our Philippine Athletics stakeholders considering our model in running BK Track League. The event’s proponents are willing to share their ideas with other Athletics communities in the Philippines. So that we can build a better experience for our athletes and surely, people will come.

 

Official Results (Hand-timed):

Blue Knights Track League Season 2: It’s About Experience

July 5, 2015

Airnel T. Abarra

From its humble beginnings last year, the Blue Knights Track League is back for its second season. Its opening ceremonies fired off at the Fr. Martinez Sports Center Track Oval, Ateneo de Davao University Matina Campus, in 05-July.

It continues to strive to give better experiences and activities for the athletes of Davao and Mindanao as a whole.

Philippines’ Women’s Track and Field icons Elma Muros-Posadas and Katherine Khay Santos joined in and spent time with athletes of the Davao Region.;

Believing in that changing culture of Athletics as a sport in the “peripheries,” the Blue Knights Track League not only serves as an alternative venue for athletes in the region to get fully exposed. On a regular and consistently run meet but also to learn from their idols in Athletics through a “track clinic” led by Coach Elma and Khay during the afternoon warm-up.

 

On top of this, the two national athletes shared their challenges, experiences, and struggles as national athletes.

So that athletes can realize they must be strong both in mind and body to reach their goals.

“Huwag kayong sumuko, yang ating mga paa, malayo ang mararating nyan, sipag, tiyaga, at tiwala kay Lord”

this was the ecstatic message of Coach Elma Muros-Posadas to almost 150 athletes with their coaches, chaperons, and trainers.

After hearing their messages, athletes were taught by Khay Santos on proper ways of doing warm-ups and drills before the afternoon session.

On top of this, organizers ensure that all athletes will be given snacks and refreshments during the whole event. Not compromising their nutrition. Powered by 818 Sports and individual benefactors, we gave the winners simple incentives. After giving the event bigger prizes on the first conference finals set in October 2015.

With the success of the first leg of Blue Knights Track League Season 2, the Ateneo de Davao Office of the Athletics is firmly poised for its next edition this 01-August.

 

Davao Blue Knights Final and Results

After three legs of time trials, Davao City-Team Blue Knights Monthly Track Meet. Hence concluded with its grand finals at the Fr. Martinez, Sports Complex Track Oval, Ateneo de Davao University-Matina Campus on 07-February. Athletes coming from different parts of the Davao Region including the cities of Davao, Tagum, and Digos unleashed their skills.

Also as part of educating the Athletes, the organizers invited PSC Consultant Andrew William Pirie to grace the opening ceremonies.

Therefore To provide new inputs and learning experience in Athletics Mr. Pirie shared his skills and knowledge with the athletes and coaches in a sprinting clinic during the noon break. While participating Athletes enjoyed as well the snacks provided by the Ateneo de Davao Varsity Parents Council. And winners of different events received gift packs from Scotch, and Post-it by 3M.

The monthly meet organizers headed by Coach Airnel T. Abarra, Mark Samante, and Noli Ayo are looking forward to the second season of the monthly track meet which will be open in June 2015. Also with Philippine Long Jump Icon Elma Muros-Posadas as a guest of honor. 

While during the season break, ADDU Athletics is planning to stage a National Technical Officials Workshop in April 2015. Hence through this, the sustainability of the Athletics program in Davao can be assured. And will provide a greater experience and new heights for the Athletes of Mindanao as a whole.

 

Full Article Here from Ateneo De Davao Website

Considerations

Also, the results are attached below. Please note firstly as no field facilities are available all events were on the track. While No Hurdles were available. Sprints were run from starting blocks.

The Track Oval is 300m around with only 4 lanes, hence events such as 400m were 1 1/4 laps. This means irregular dimensions hence the races could not be certified for the national ranking lists and record purposes. However, the 100m track was the correct length as it started way back before the curve hence 100m performances could be credited.

All performances were hand timed and no wind gauge was used during the meet.

The standout performance at this meet was Jeffrey Mingo who comes from Digos and improved his 400m time from 51.9 to 50.9 within the space of a month.

 

Blue Knights Monthly Track Meet

• Please note that this meet is done entirely by the University of Ateneo de Davao and its sponsors. It is not funded by the PSC or the PATAFA.
• As the organizer has requested a sanction permit from PATAFA the performances at this meet will be considered for Rankings.
• However, the track oval dimensions must be inspected as per IAAF Rules.

Points Computation Ateneo De Davao Univ Blue Knights Meet   Results Provided by meet organizer Airnel T. Abarra

 

 

Continued Season 3

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