Sports Academy Arnis officially concludes

After thirteen (13) Saturday sessions, the second installment of the Sports Academy for Arnis (Antas 1 and 2) officially concluded on 03 June 2023 at the Davao City-UP Training Gym, Mintal, Davao City.

The culmination activity allowed the 41 students from both levels to showcase their skills and what they have learned through a recital and mini-tournament against athletes from the Kapatirang Doble Olisi Eskrima (KDOE). Batang Pinoy athletes from KDOE also performed an anyo exhibition, demonstrating Arnis movements as an art form.

The Sports Academy for Arnis was established in hopes of strengthening the promotion of Arnis in Mindanao as the national sport and martial art. This is in line with UP Mindanao’s mandate “to undertake and support comprehensive sports programs that promote physical education, uphold excellence, encourage competitive participation in sports activities, instill school identity and solidarity, cultivate pride, self-discipline, and teamwork, especially among the youth (R.A. 9500, Sec. 10).” The Davao City-UP Sports Complex, in partnership with UP Mindanao’s Department of Human Kinetics, also took up this initiative in order to provide significant data on sustaining the sports complex facilities.

The third installment of the Sports Academy for Arnis has not been decided yet.

Climbing up the ladder; what’s next for the first graduates of AASS?

It is expected that 15 students from the pioneering batch of Associate in Arts Sports Studies (AASS) will proceed to Bachelor of Sports Science (BSS) this coming academic year 2023-2024. Accordingly, the faculty and staff have been eagerly preparing for the smooth transition of the ladderized programs for the next school year.

The Department of Human Kinetics invited UP Diliman’s College of Human Kinetics Graduate Studies Director Prof. Jonathan Cagas and Department of Sports Science Chair Prof. Marla Frances T. Mallari to seek assistance for the new concerns that arose regarding the said transition, as well as the admission concerns that came up for the Master of Science in Human Movement Science (MSHMS).

AASS to BSS

For a brief background, the AASS program allows K-12 graduates with a good track record in sports or dance to pursue a career in sports. Their admission is based on that record, as well as their high school grades. Upon completion of the program in two years, they can proceed to Bachelor of Sports Science as third-year students.

Bachelor of Sports Science for athletes

The BSS does not primarily require its students to have a sports or dance background upon admission, as the discipline is focused on professionals for the athletes. However, for an athlete, enrolling in the BSS course will definitely be advantageous for their athletic careers.

It would allow them to perform their sport with a more scientific approach and learn the ropes of Sports Management in general. Athletes with a degree related to sports are expected to be able to come up with experience, research, and evidence-based training programs that will in turn aid them during competitions.