BUTUAN CITY — Before the new sports facilities arrived, Marc Francis V. Pandan and his teammates used tires as goal posts during their football practices. Now, the Pedro D. Duncano Elementary School student and his fellow athletes have a proper playing field and sports equipment to help them train. Pandan is one of the many students benefiting from the newly launched multipurpose open spaces at Pedro D. Duncano Elementary School, Cabcabon National High School, and Cabcabon Elementary School. Despite heavy rain, the opening of these facilities pushed through, marking a significant step forward for grassroots sports development in the city.
A Response to the Need for Safe and Accessible Sports Spaces
The project, initiated by the City Government of Butuan, addresses the lack of venues for sports and outdoor activities in schools. Previously unused open spaces have been transformed into leveled, grass‑covered playing fields suitable for football, volleyball, badminton, and track and field. The facilities are also equipped with goal posts and nets, providing students with the tools they need to practice and compete. These three schools are the first batch of 11 schools that will receive such facilities, ensuring that more young athletes will have access to proper training grounds.
Building Future Champions Through Grassroots Sports
For Pandan, the new facilities mean easier and more effective practice sessions. He hopes that more children will be encouraged to take up sports, hone their talents, and eventually join major competitions. The local government has committed to creating more mini sports training grounds in barangays so that young athletes no longer need to travel far for practice. By investing in safe and accessible facilities, the city is nurturing the next generation of athletes and ensuring that no talent is left undeveloped due to a lack of resources.
