VIOLENCE has no place in sports.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) stressed this point in a strongly worded message condemning the shooting that happened during a Bangsamoro youth sports event at the Mindanao State University (MSU) grandstand in Marawi on Friday.
“The shooting incident was sad and tragic. It is something that we at the PSC condemn in the strongest possible terms,” said the government sports-funding agency in a statement.
“Sports events should be a gathering of sportsmen whose love for equality and peace are fostered through physical exercise and movement.
“Let us not allow people with a penchant for violence mar the success of sports in the grassroots level. Let us all continue to be vigilant in our work for peace,” it added.
PSC chairman William Ramirez has already talked with their sports coordinators in Marawi to look into the matter and find ways to avoid such incident from occurring again.
The PSC has been advocating its “Sports for Peace” program all over the country including the Marawi in the past.
A group of gunmen chased and beat up an MSU student near the grandstand where the sports event was being conducted.
An off-duty policeman, who happened to be at the event, responded but was shot and wounded by the suspects.
It also resulted to several students getting wounded. Initial investigation showed personal grudge as a possible reason that triggered the incident. — Joey Villar