Recession affects sports

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THE current global economic crisis that started in the U.S.A. is really contagious that even rich nations have not been spared from its impact. But the most affected are the developing countries like the Philippines.

Economic experts say what’s happening in our country today is just a prelude and we will feel the real impact of this financial downturn in the middle of this year. Hopefully they’re wide off the mark. And hopefully U.S. President Barack Obama can alleviate this worldwide predicament that America started.

If the financial situation of any nation plunges, everything plummets, including sports. That’s for sure. I’m one of the many who feel angry being a sports organizer.

Among the first to fall this year in my calendar of races due to the recession are the annual Binmaley Cycling and the Bangus Cycling Festival.

Even the prestigious one-day bikefest in my town Mangaldan, held annually in conjunction with the celebration of our town fiesta and would be on its 35th edition this year, is now also in jeopardy.

Hopefully our sports-minded hizzoner Herminio Romero could reverse the jam. And hopefully, too, that the new LTO chief, my relative Gen. Arturo Lomibao who was born and raised in Mangaldan, will play the role of a messiah this time.

In case nothing works out, it will be the second time for the annual bikefest, started in 1974, to be called off. The first one was in 2002 under the administration of ex-Mayor Tito Sarzaba.

Although this is understandable, it’s really frustrating not only on the part of the cyclists and the town’s aficionados, but for me, a Mangaldan inhabitant and a former cyclist and the organizer of the event.

But I fervently hope the event will eventually push through. I know Mayor Romero is an ardent follower of cycling like his late brother-in-law, the former Mayor Macario G. Ydia, the founder of this annual affair.

* * * * *

Despite a bit of a letdown in their performance, placing third in a mountain bike race held in San Fernando, La Union last February 1, the Pitaki Boyz who brought home a trophy and a cash prize of P10,000. Certainly a feat still deserving of big congrats.

Although mountain bike racing also needs strong and long stamina, speed (race) biking is very different principally because of the rugged terrain, a kind of race that the Pitaki riders are not quite used to.

My gigantic congratulations to the Vigan team who topped the event, winning P17,000 and a huge trophy, and to the Bauang, L.U. squad for placing second, pocketing P13,000 .

Keep on pedaling my kababayan Ilocanos. We are proud of you, guys.

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