Sports which are not played in the Philippines’ top collegiate association, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines UAAP, are often unseen and taken for granted. For a long time, DLSU has several sports clubs in this category.
And though some may think that these unheard of clubs are weak simply because few people know about them, some of these squads have managed to carry the name of the University in various competitions outside the country’s athletic league, even reaching and winning in other countries.
Archery, Brazilian Jiu Jitzu, Aikido, Golf, Dragon Boat, Karate, and Capoeira are just some of DLSU’s sport clubs that train Lasallians to compete in different tournaments outside the University and the country.
Their plight in the University is not unique; all over the country many sports have been neglected by the government and to some extent, the public. The reason is simple. It is because these sports have few patrons.
In the collegiate level for example, the cheers often associated with the UAAP games are not carried over to Archery competitions and the like, which is ironic for a school that refers to its basketball players as Archers.
Think about it. How many Lasallians know these “Archers” who regularly compete in different competitions? Moreover, how many people fall in line for tickets to these matches? The number I’m sure is probably ten times a tenth of the total number of people who lined up for the recent DLSU-Ateneo game.
Moreover, since these sports have few patrons, many future athletes are not interested in learning sports like Aikido, Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitzu and the like. Moreover, few even know that these teams exist. Do people even know that DLSU has a Golf team and a Capoeira club?
It’s not fair. Many student-athletes spend time do not receive the same recognition the UAAP athletes are receiving.
To be fair, the OSD have been giving equal support to its clubs, including those outside the limelight. The problem lies with the Lasallian community, which has shown little to no support at all, which has affected the morale of many players.
The challenge to the Lasallian community is to see beyond basketball and the other UAAP sports. It is not about not giving credit to UAAP sports; it is about supporting the name and ideals that all DLSU sports clubs uphold. It is the role of Lasallians to be aware of what is happening to other athletes donning the Green-and-White jerseys outside Taft Avenue and the country.
Though these clubs and student-athletes do not play to be known in the University, it is our duty to not take them for granted, and to give them the proper recognition that they deserve.
The Animo should not be boxed in the four corners of UAAP. Lasallian pride comes from the Lasallian values. It does not come from just playing a UAAP sport. Who knows, the next top Philippine athletes might just come from DLSU’s unnoticed sports clubs.
One reply on “DLSU Sports clubs: Birthplace of unsung heroes”
Hi! This is a lovely article~ I’m an incoming freshman, and my brother also recently graduated from DLSU. He joined the capoeira club a few terms before graduation, and he loves it and continues it until now–even if he has to sacrifice weekends or hours before his work just to attend capoeira sessions. I do agree that these clubs should be given more recognition! I might just join archery, because I’ve been wanting to learn since I was a kid (nothing wrong with an actual ARCHER from the DLSU Green Archers, right?)
Kudos again for writing this article 🙂