Bridging the Gap: Sports Development in the Philippines through European Lens

In an era where world-class athletes dominate headlines, it’s easy to overlook the significance of sports development and management on a national level. Airnel Abarra weighs on how the enhanced understanding and collaboration between the Philippines and European sporting authorities can help the Southeast Asian country rise to the world stage.

As a PhD Candidate at the Doctorate School of Sports Science at the Hungarian University of Sports Science, Budapest, Hungary, Abarra has faced many challenges while pursuing his education. However, he believes the unique experiences and perspectives he gained are invaluable not only for his personal journey but also for his desire to contribute to the Philippine sports community in the future.

The lack of legitimate PhD programs in Sports Science in the Philippines has driven Abarra to explore his passion in Europe. Compared to the local context, where sports science leans heavily on coursework, European programs focus more on research and generating knowledge. Studying sports from a scientific and evidence-based perspective is essential if Filipino athletes desire to compete on a global scale.

Harnessing positive Filipino values like ‘bayanihan’ and ‘delicadeza’ is essential for sports development. Abarra emphasizes the importance of practicing integrity, accountability, and zero tolerance for dishonesty and other deviant practices in sports. Additionally, he advocates for policy and perspective changes to foster a long-lasting and mass-based sports program with homegrown talents.

Drawing from his European experiences, Abarra identifies the consistent structure of competent coaches, collaboration with different stakeholders, and policy based on integrity and accountability as critical components of grassroots sports development. Sports officials must continuously learn and adapt to remain effective in governance.

For the Philippines to prosper in its sports development, providing athletes with better coaching options and incentivizing coaches for their hard work and dedication is essential. Continuous education and strong morals among coaches will ultimately translate to success for Filipino athletes.

European policy initiatives, such as promoting volunteerism and efficient event management, can benefit the Philippines by bringing organization and structure to sports events. Technology and analytics could also be crucial in streamlining processes and ensuring transparency within the Philippine sports sector.

Cross-border partnerships between the Philippines and European institutions can prove instrumental in capacity-building for sports development. Exchange programs for athletes and coaches to experience and learn from European sports clubs and organizations can improve performance and understanding of sports training methodologies.

Abarra remains optimistic about the future of sports in the Philippines, with prospects of producing world-class athletes if stakeholders embrace genuine sports science programs rooted in integrity and accountability.

The journey to sports excellence is challenging for any country. However, by learning from Europe’s sports development systems, the Philippines has the potential to redefine its sports culture and cultivate homegrown talents to compete on the world stage. In the end, key stakeholders’ collaborative effort, guided by the ideals of integrity, accountability, and scientific evidence, can inspire and empower Filipino athletes to excel.

Prior to his PhD studies in Budapest, Hungary, Airnel T. Abarra was the Grade School Sports Officer and Head Coach of the Track and Field Team of Ateneo de Davao University, Davao City, Philippines.