Google map of Tagaloan town, Misamis Oriental.
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--A group of young basketball coaches and a lawyer announced Wednesday that it is forming the local government unit (LGU) based Liga Mindanao Youth 16-U and 12-U basketball tournament.
Set to begin in the summer of 2021, the Liga Mindanao Youth Basketball League is envisioned to be the biggest youth basketball tournament on the island, said its prime mover Van Halen Parmis, the sports coordinator of Tagoloan town in Misamis Oriental.
Parmis will be supported by coaches Raymon Mercader of Bukidnon, El Salvador Misamis Oriental town sports coordinator Rey Dangcal, former PBA player and now General Santos City-based Bitoy Omolon, and Taguluan Community College official lawyer Angel Lim Jr.
Parmis said the competition winners will represent the island in an international competition where they will play against top teams from Europe and the USA.
“I am excited about this noble undertaking, and we will be uniting coaches in the grassroots here in Mindanao, through this basketball development league,’’ he said.
Parmis added that this league would give homegrown Mindanao talents another step to reach their dreams as it will provide a wide array of exposure for the coaches and players.
He also said that this tournament is a gift to the young players of Mindanao who have been stuck to their homes during the Covid 19 pandemic, which has ravaged the world.
“By summer, we are hopeful we will already have the vaccines, and this pandemic will be over,’’ he said.
Former PBA player Bitoy Omolon has thrown his all-out support for this tournament, saying the sports event is good for the Mindanaoan kids as it will teach them the value and importance of culture, friendship, memories, and peace as the teams will have the chance of traveling all over the island of Mindanao.
Multi-titled Bukidnon coach Raymon Mercader, who volunteered to be part of the organizing team, said that he is grateful to be part of this basketball league.
“This tournament will build a legacy to inspire, give hope, and encourage everyone to dream. This league will not only enhance the talents and skills of our young athletes and coaches but will also open windows of opportunities and create friendship among Mindanaoan kids and coaches,’’ he said.
Dangcal, also Southern Philippine College (SPC) legendary coach, said this league is the answer to his long- time dream that would unite and give opportunities to all the young players in Mindanao.
“I am looking forward to this league. As a technical head of the tournament, rest assured that trust for everyone's benefit will be my priority,’’ he said.
As of the moment, the organizers have started inviting the different LGU’s all over Mindanao to join this tournament.
The final date of the competition, the final cut-off date of birth of the players, and the tournament rules will be announced later. (PNA)
