by Nicole Rigayen
One of the gems of each university is its student-athletes. In every competition, they eagerly fight to bring pride and medals to their respective universities. But what do they receive in return?
It is undeniable that these student-athletes experience more fatigue than ordinary students. In fact, they do not even have enough rest because of their academic responsibilities coinciding with their sports training. Yet other people can easily judge them. If only they know of all the sacrifices that these student-athletes experience.
In my experience as a student-athlete, it is extremely difficult even more if you do not get enough support from your school.
The University of the Philippines is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Yet University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) seems to be lacking competitiveness in sports.
It was not in my plan to continue playing volleyball. Nonetheless, I tried to be part of the UPB women’s volleyball team. At first, I thought I was the weakest one but I was wrong. And now, I get it. For student-athletes here in UPB, the odds will never be in our favor.
Last year, we only received PHP 1,050 as our allowance per athlete for the whole year. It was not enough to pay for the time we spent on training. Then they said they would increase our allowance. Nothing happened. We do not even have a service vehicle that will take us to our games’ venue. Most of all, we do not have adequate medical support such as having a physical therapist to check on us when we are suffering from sprains or cramps.
This year’s Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) was another agony for us. Can you even believe that we still do not have our uniforms or jerseys although our game will already begin? We were obligated to create a ‘plan B’ since we do not have jerseys to wear on our first games. Moreover, we again do not have a service vehicle to take us to the venues where the games will be held.
I know that they are exerting efforts but seemingly obvious, it is not enough.
Yes, no one told us to be student-athletes. They did not even obligate us to be one. It is our own decision. But we only wish for support. We never aim for a very high allowance, expensive equipment for training or even high-end services; we only want to have fair treatment.
Since we already have high-tech equipment and a better gymnasium, we now want action. Yes, UPB’s varsity teams do not have the strongest players but we want continuous support from the school administration. Just think about it, how will we be motivated to train or be better athletes if we cannot even receive moral support from those in position? To be honest, I have never seen someone in a higher position who has watched even one of our games. We do not demand too much, it is just that we do not receive support that much.
If no one will take the responsibility, until when we, the student-athletes, suffer? “Hindi madali ang maging estudyante-atleta pero mas mahirap kung wala kaming suportang natatangap. Kumikilos nga kayo pero ang bagal,” and I will leave it here.
(It is not easy to be a student-athlete but it is more difficult if we are not receiving any support. You are making an action but you are slow.)
Edited by Catherine De Leon
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