The aim of the annual Letramurals has always been about promoting camaraderie among students and teams. For its entire existence, the yearly event has undoubtedly given us Letranites an outlet to showcase our devotion to sports, whether we’re participants in the games or simply spectators. Another aim is to promote teamwork within our respective clusters and build student-interaction with others. This means character build-up and peer-to-peer relationship is constantly being improved in the events as well.
However, a big change to this year’s Letramurals is the merging of teams. From the original ten participating groups, teams are now merged into their respective colleges for a total of only six teams competing. Students have shared their fair share of sentiments about this, with most being against the move.
Yet if we try to look at the relevance and importance of this merger, this is the best choice we have to continue and preserve the goals of the Colegio’s sole student sporting occasion.
Due to a few enrollees, the Office of Student Welfare and Development (OSWD) have decided to put this merger, since the original ten teams’ don't have almost the same amount of student population. Secondly, it is fitting because teams are merged based on the different colleges and departments they represent in the Colegio.
Yes, I do understand why most students are going against this change. Team identity strikes as one of the reasons – original team brand and image are neglected since squads are now composed of two to three groups of the original colors.
Few teams have also started their respective training sessions long before the announcement of the merger. This means some have already completed their try-outs and have listed their prospected final lineups.
However, if we look at the bigger picture, it would become unfair for other teams when competition comes. A team which has a lesser population than the others will have a disadvantage in terms of producing players for each sport. It could possibly lead to players jumping into multiple events because they cannot produce a representative or a representing team to the other events.
Also, merging of former rivals or those who don’t get along should cease their conflicts since they now represent their colleges. The pride of winning together is more than the amount of rivalry can produce.
I believe that this merger is the best and most practical solution to the declining number of students. Although some might still see this as a barrier to their sporting aspirations, the merger bolsters the spirit of competitiveness and sporting glory among teams even more.
I hope this would not withdraw us back from our eagerness to play and participate in the games. This gives us an opportunity to become better team members, players, but most of all, individuals.
(First published on The LANCE's September Issue)