EDITORIAL — That long-awaited skate park

Here is some good news from the field of sports. Cebuana skateboarder Margielyn Didal again does us proud by finishing with a podium victory at the Street League Skateboarding in Santa Monica, California, last Saturday.

Returning from a year’s hiatus due to an injury, Didal bagged the bronze medal. Now her victory is raising hopes that the long-promised skate park for Cebu City will finally become a reality.

Those who think that skateboarding isn’t a viable sport for Filipinos only need to look at what Didal has achieved. In fact, the sport might even appeal to more young people because it costs less in terms of equipment compared to other sports that can take an athlete to the Olympics.

So, yes, skateboarding is definitely not a crime. And, yes indeed, why not make that skate park dream finally come true.

Every so often we see kids puttering around on their boards in the streets or practicing kickflips, ollies, grinds, and other such moves on the sidewalks. This is because they don’t have many places to hone their skills in Cebu City.

Not only are they not safe in the streets and sidewalks, they can also cause injury to others. Better to have somewhere they can learn the skill properly and safely, and with others who can help them get better.

While a skate park in Cebu City was indeed envisioned by previous city administrations, actual fruition was always put off when the chief local executive was replaced or suspended. We also have to admit that skate parks don’t rank highly on the list of priorities when the budget is tight or when there is a crisis.

But then again, victories have the tendency to call attention to some dreams left behind.

Talent must always be nourished, especially among the young. Who knows? Maybe one day one of them will follow in Didal’s footsteps and also achieve the victories she has, if not surpass them.