Christmas Fiesta Basketball & Volleyball League

November 26, 2022

The Local Youth Development Council once again organized the Christmas-Fiesta Basketball and
Volleyball League. Since the COVID-19 has had restrictions in mass gathering, this event was still under
the guidelines of the COVID-19 safety protocols.

After being home-quarantined for almost two years, the youth were deprived in many outdoor activities
such as team sports. Team sports participation promotes health and wellbeing, builds confidence, and
can help maintain mental health. Studies also show a reduced risk for substance use in young people
who play sports versus those who do not, including alcohol use, smoking, vaping, and illicit drug use.
Communities that participate in sport and recreation develop strong social bonds, are safer places and
the people who live in them are generally healthier and happier than places where physical activity is
not a priority. Sport and recreation build stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities. Sport can
teach values such as fairness, team-building, equality, discipline, inclusion, perseverance and respect.
Sport has the power to provide a universal framework for learning values, thus contributing to the
development of soft skills needed for responsible citizenship.

Balingasag has always been known to be a home for some talented athletes. It has already produced
young athletes who excel in different sports, and even compete outside the country.