Universal Sports Promotions, a social enterprise, recently launched its inaugural sporting event for kids, a 2-day basketball clinics and games for 14 years old and below at the Astrodome, in Tacloban City, the regional capital of Eastern Visayas and Catbalogan City, the capital of Samar, with NBA talent development expert, veteran coach and international scout, Gary Boyson as special guest, from June 3-4, 2023.
“We take pride in spearheading trailblazing projects. So when we got the chance to invite an international personality with NBA track record, to visit Samar and Leyte and conduct mentorship for young basketball players, we know that we are creating unprecedented move that will benefit young basketball players in the region”, MaryJane Salomon, it’s founder and CEO said.
“With our vision and mission, to support promote and develop sports, from grassroots up, we are happy to provide additional platform for children, pave the way for innovative and inclusive initiatives and make them accessible for them to achieve their full potential”, she added.
Universal Sports Promotions is into curation, production, and management of various sporting events such as basketball, marathon, cycling, boxing, regatta, amongst others and is into promotion of sports tourism as well.
“We would like to champion sports tourism. Whether we are organizing sporting events, providing training and coaching, or partnering with other organizations to support sports initiatives, USP is here to make a meaningful difference in the lives of athletes and sports enthusiasts alike”, Salomon added.
The basketball event which attracted almost 500 kids from different parts of Leyte and Samar including Biliran, highlighted the importance of collaboration and significance of private led initiatives in pursuance of sports development, that is sustainable and scalable, in the countryside. It was supported by the city governments of Tacloban City and Catbalogan City, Department of Educations, Department of Tourism, Hiraya Foundations, IFranchise Business Corporations and Stratoppo Global.
“As a sports advocate, it is important to promote the benefits of sports participation, diversity and inclusion in sports, the impact of sports in society, the role of sports in promoting mental health, and the need for sportsmanship and fair play”, she quipped.
“Sport brings people together and provides hope for everyone. It is a unifying initiative.
Generally speaking, we need to be creative, must think out of the box and raise the standards. When we do these, we inspire others to do something, embolden their desire to get involved and provide the confidence to join in pursuing shared vision and common goal. Cooperation is key, to achieve more and do more”, Salomon concluded. (PR)
