MIND & BODY
Good physical health contributes to good mental health. Exercise has been linked to improved mood, reduced stress, increased energy, and heightened self-esteem. In addition, participating in sports fosters the development of important aspects of psychological health including self-esteem, social skills, discipline, and respect for others. PGTN values the "mind-body connection" and supports organizations operating in resource-limited areas that promote mental health through sports activities and provide support to aspiring athletes whose talents and efforts inspire others to incorporate physical activity into their lives. Our MIND & BODY section highlights athletes from resource-limited settings who have excelled in sports and serve as an inspiration to others.
Seventeen year old Michael Christian Martinez was the lone athlete and flag-bearer for the Philippines at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. He was also the first figure skater ever to represent a Southeast Asian country.
Martinez was born in Paranaque City and, as a child, struggled with sports due to asthma attacks. He got his first introduction to skating after going to a shopping mall with his mother at age 9. By age 12, he was competing in European junior competitions and winning without coaching. In 2010, he began training in the United States and, in 2013, placed fifth at the world Junior Championships in Milan.
The family has struggled financially - especially after having incurred damage to the family farm in Luzon by Typhoon Haiyan. With their life savings nearly depleted, they were able to pull together donations from other sources including friends, his skating club, and a local shopping mall ice rink.
At the Sochi Olympics, Martinez skated competitively enough to qualify for the final free-skate round. After the free skate, he posted a total score of 184.25 landing him an overall place of 19th.
GLOBAL BASEBALL & GIRLS
Worldwide, discrimination has been an issue affecting girls and women throughout their lives, limiting self-esteem, confidence, and the development of important talents and abilities. Education, health (i.e. basic medical care), harassment/violence, and property rights continue to be challenges associated with discrimination, especially in the developing world.
Seeing a young girl succeed among her male counterparts is an inspiration – a reminder to girls and women worldwide that they are capable even if opportunities remain limited. Eliska Stejskalova, from the Czech Republic was the only girl to play in the 2013 Little League World Series (LLWS) in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, USA. She played on the Europe-Africa team, represented by the Czech Republic, whose appearance was their first in history. Eliska beat several boys (including her brother) in securing a place on the team and played several positions during the competition including catcher, outfielder, and short-stop. While the team lost in a later round of the competition, they earned the opportunity to play in a consolation game. Eliska was the 16th girl to ever play in the LLWS, with the first girl participating in 1984.
GLOBAL BASEBALL
The Ugandans, were the second African team to qualify for and the first to actually make it to the 2012 Little League World Series (August 16 - August 26 ) in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Although the team from Lugazi, Uganda lost their first two games (to Panama and Mexico) they triumphed in a consolation bout against the United States’ Oregon team. Baseball in Africa has been a late arrival compared to countries in the Americas and East Asia. Although it is unclear exactly how many youth play baseball in Africa, six countries have joined the African Baseball League and others have teams in the developmental stages. The game is gaining fast on soccer as a popular sport in schools and has also been used in countries, such as South Africa, to help bring awareness to public health issues such as HIV/AIDS.
Uganda and other African countries face significant challenges as efforts are made to develop the sport. Many children use balls made of paper, have no gloves, and improvise bats. Games are often played barefoot on dry fields with little or no grass, and schools, where baseball is popular, struggle to find places to play. Charities and other organizations have been working to aid with development. Uganda’s success in Williamsport will help to raise the sport’s profile in Africa, and, hopefully, to raise more money to support the children.
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GLOBAL OLYMPIANS
At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, ten refugee athletes made history by competing as the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team. Team members included individuals from South Sudan, Ethiopia, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo competing in track and field, swimming, and judo. We salute their bravery, perseverance, and accomplishments!
