by Edmar Delos Santos, STRATCOM Correspondent

MMSU is on its way to organizing better major sports events as Prof. Ryan Dean Sucgang, director of the Center for Human Movement Studies (CHuMS), and Dr. Gorge Bagaoisan, College of Teacher Education Sports Coordinator,  finished a two-week international short course on sports management and tourism sponsored by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) in Malaysia from November 24 to December 8.

Joining 24 other sports officials from 20 higher education institutions (HEI) in the Philippines, Prof. Sucgang and Dr. Bagaoisan completed the Organizing Major Sports Events and Promoting Sports Tourism program by UKM. The short course consisted of a theoretical course in Kuala Lumpur in the first week and practical training in Langkawi in the second week.

During their theoretical course, Prof. Sucgang and Dr. Bagaoisan, alongside other participants, met the organizing committee of major sporting events in Malaysia, such as their National and Paralympic Games, and the Southeast Asian Games. They also visited state-of-the-art and cutting-edge technologies and equipment in sports science.

Participants also visited and shared their experiences organizing sports events with industry and academic sports faculty members in various sessions at Malaysian universities, sports councils, and agencies.

During the practical training, participants also joined the preparation and holding of the Langkawi International Half Marathon in Malaysia, an annual global sporting event, which gathered over 4,200 runners from 26 nations. This allowed them to become marshals and volunteers, and observe the medical team of international sports events.

With their participation in the short course, CHuMS Director Prof Sucgang said that he will propose improvements to major sporting events in the region, such as the university’s hosting of the State Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (SCUAA) Region I Games. It includes a centralized medical team, a media center for better information flow, and an impressive opening ceremony.

Having learned about the benefit of sports tourism, where athletes and companions gather at a sporting event and have an opportunity to visit tourist attractions in a certain place, Prof. Sucgang said that this will also be considered in hosting the SCUAA.  “Also, if ever we will be staging sports tourism here [in Ilocos Norte], we need to ensure that the province will benefit from it in terms of economics.”

During the closing ceremony of the international short course, CHED Secretary J. Prospero “Popoy” de Vera III said that the program was developed in line with the ASEAN work plan on sports for 2021 to 2025, affirming the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports declaration on the significance of sports in community building and the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

“We look forward to how our participants can now plan and implement follow-through activities in their HEIs, athletic leagues, and partner with local governments when they go back to the Philippines,” CHED Chairperson De Vera stated in his speech.

Aside from MMSU, the HEI representatives present were from Bukidnon State University, Sorsogon State University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Mariano Marcos State University, Romblon State University, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Occidental Mindoro State College, Southern Luzon State University, Bicol State College of Applied Sciences and Technology, Isabela State University, Cagayan State University, Palawan State University, Panpacific University, Sulu State College, Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology, First City Providential College, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, University of the Philippines Diliman, National University, and Philippine Normal University.

Participating universities have hosted major sports events in the Philippines, such as the SCUAA Palarong Pambansa, Private Schools Athletic Associations (PRISAA), University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 

CHED Chairperson De Vera III said the short course is part of the CHED - Higher Education Upskilling and Study for Advancement of Staff and Faculty (HUSAY) Program. Initiated in 2023, the program gives opportunities for faculty members of HEIs, especially on full scholarships in short courses that would capacity-build their collaborative research, curriculum development, and instruction.