THE CITY Government of Caloocan has opened two sports camps through the efforts of the Sports Development and Recreation Office, for the benefit of city youth aged 7 to 18.

Caloocan City-North will be having a free swimming clinic under coach Bryan Estipona, while free jiu-jitsu lessons will be conducted by coach Harvey Navarro in the South.

Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan maintained that the sports clinics will be a good way for the students to maximize their academic break, while also providing much needed exercise and practical skills for their still developing physical and mental capabilities.

“Ikinagagalak ko pong ibahagi sa ating mga kabataan na tuloy-tuloy po ang pagsasagawa ng Batang Kankaloo Sports Camp. Sa mga magulang po, huwag nating sayangin ang pagkakataong ito habang nasa bakasyon pa ang marami sa ating mga mag-aaral, lalo na at mas mainam po ang mga aktibidad na ituturo rito upang mabawasan na rin ang oras na ginugugol ng mga bata sa kanilang mga gadget,” the mayor said.

“Sa tulong ng mahuhusay nating coaches, tiyak din ako na maraming matututunan ang mga bata at mabibigyan sila ng pagkakataon na matuklasan ang kanilang passion para sa sports,” he added.

The local chief executive likewise re-affirmed the city’s objective to maintain being a child-friendly city and vowed to sustain its efforts to implement more programs geaed to support the rights and interests of the youth.

“Lagi ko pong sinasabi, ‘Sa Caloocan, walang batang maiiwan,’ kaya po asahan niyong mas pagtitibayin pa natin ang ating mga programa upang protektahan ang kabataan laban sa mga abuso at tulungan silang maging responsableng mamamayan pagtanda nila,” the local chief executive said.

Aside from swimming and jiu-jitsu, free lessons were also conducted for those interested in basketball and tennis.