IF THE Learn and Train Sports Academy would have its way, the Philippines could have the next Bea Lucero or Caloy Yulo of gymnastics in the next few years
LTSA Managing Director Sid Castro-Tayag believes there are a lot of young and talented Filipino gymnasts just waiting to be discovered and trained for future international competitions.

And LTSA, a privately-funded company dedicated to grassroots sports development, is taking the initiatives to find them.

“Through the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines under president Cynthia Carrion, the LTSA is helping these future champions to get started,” said Tayag during the 44th “Sports on Air” via Zoom.

“We actually had our first competition — the LTSA Invitationals — at the MVP Sports Foundation Gymnastics Center in Intramuros last Oct. 22-23 and we did it in partnership with GAP. We did it for the kids kasi ang tagal-tagal ng walang competition, walang big events dahil nga sa pandemic,” added Tayag.

“It was a friendly competition participated in by different clubs coming from Cebu and Ilocos and LGUs and clubs in Metro Manila. We had around 100 children-participants with the youngest at three years old and the oldest at 14 years old. Masaya talaga dahil nag- enjoy ang lahat, lalo na ang mga bata dito sa sa first big competition namin sa Intramuros.”

Tayag takes pride in having gathered some of the best gymnastics talents to help find and train new ones.

“Bago pa lang ang LTSA. We are a member club of GAP and we are happy na very supportive sila, lalo na sa mga technical matters. Madaming coaches who are former and current national team members ang sumali. We even had international judges. Tina Onofre- Loberanes, who was on the national artistic gymnatics team, is now one of the LTSA coaches. Coach Dee Nikko, one of the international judges, was also there.”

“Yun mga former medalists ng Palarong Pambansa at Batang Pinoy from the provinces, na matagal ng hindi nakakapag-compete, nakasali din. At madami talaga kaming mga nakitang new or rising stars from different LGUs. Maliliit pa pero malalakas na talaga kaya very encouraging.”

Added Tayag: “Sa LTSA, madami na din kami mga initiatives. May scholarship program kami. Right now, may 6-7 scholars kami from different LGUs, na nag-train sa gym namin. These are very talented young kids, na hopefully one day, makikita na natin sa national team with the help of GAP.”

“We are always on the look out for talented kids. Kaya yung mga interesado, just reach out and get in touch with us lalo na during the summer season. We open the scholarship program para makasali ang mga kids dun sa summer clinics. Tapos makikita na natin dun yun talagang may future sa sport. But mostly, women or girls ang mga scholars namin dahilour main focus for now is women’s artistic gymnastics. Naghahanap kami ng female version ni Caloy Yulo or the next Bea Lucero, actually.”

Tayag said LTSA, headed by president Carlos Tayag, hopes to continue its partnership with GAP.

“Actually, GAP president Cynthia Carrion was there sa LTSA Invitationals. We’re very thankful that she even agreed to be the special guest judge sa toddlers division, which was open to kids aged 3-5 years old. Batang-bata pa pero ipinakita talaga nila ang kanilang skills with Ms.Cynthia pa na GAP president ang nag-judge,” claimed Tayag.

“So we’re really hoping to continue our relationship with GAP. Siyempre yung mga technical aspects nanggagaling sa kanila talaga. Very helpful sa amin para at least maturuan ng tama ang mga bata,” explained Tayag.

“As a club, gusto namin may recreational side pero gusto rin namin na magkaroon ng pagkakataon ang mga bata na one day magiging national team members sila. Yan ang talagang goal namin kaya we will continue to work with GAP para makamit namin iyan.”

“Ang grassroots program naman ng GAP nandyan pa din. Ang dami nating malalakas na mga gymnasts galing sa mga provinces, at hindi lang sa Manila. Hopefully magkaroon din ng mga gyms sa Visayas at Mindanao para talagang makita natin ang lahat na mga magagaling nating gymnasts.”

Asked about the recent LTSA Invitationals, Tayag said the event was a huge success that they are now already preparing for a sequel next year.

“Meron kaming dalawang categories. One is yun basic, na bago lang at nagsimula lang nung February. Very friendly ang competition, na kung saan ginamit namin ang bagong scoring system ng GAP. Talagang skills-based assessment. Nag-enjoy ang mga bata dahil binigyan namin sila ng mga medals. Sa mga bata, big achievement ito.”

“Second, meron kaming advance category na FIG programme. We had a lot of participants, from Manila, Alpha Gymnastics, Usbong from Pasay, Ilocos Team and Manila Polo Club. La Sugbo from Cebu. Pati yung club ng mommy ni Daniela dela Pisawas there also. I’m sure next year, mas madaming participants, mas madaming kids and mag-pursue gymnastics.

“After all, the more, the merrier.” With reports from Gab Ferreras