Dabawenyo athletes will no longer need to leave home to pursue their athletic dreams, as Davao City’s Atong Taga-an og Oportunidad ang Nangandoy nga Atleta (ATO NA) Scholarship Program for student-athletes will begin accepting applications in September.
Justine Marie D. Adovo, Executive Program Director I of the City Sports Development Division (SDD), confirmed during the ISpeak Media Conference on Thursday that scholarship applications will officially open this September with general qualifications and application requirements scheduled for release in the coming days prior to accepting applicants.
“This coming September na po ang atoang start sa pag dawat sa mga applicants for our scholarship. Right now, we are in our phase 2 sa posting which is gihatag namo unsa ang background ngano na mugna ang scholarship. Then, in a few days, ipost na namo ang general qualifications and then ang requirements. Tapos sa pinaka last which is the official release and mag dawat nami sa mga applicants (We will start accepting scholarship applicants this coming September. Right now, we are in Phase 2 of posting, where we are providing the background on why the scholarship was created. Then, in a few days, we will post the general qualifications and requirements. Finally, we will have the official release and begin accepting applicants),” she said.
The scholarship program provides Php 20,000 financial assistance per semester for tertiary-level athletes to cover tuition and miscellaneous fees, plus Php 5,000 for sports supplies and equipment subsidies.
Partial scholarships are also available, offering Php 5,000 per semester for tertiary athletes and Php 5,000 per academic year for junior and senior high school athletes.
“Wala tay gina limit sa mag apply, everyone can apply. Wala pod tay pillion nga sports ug dili ta mag base sa ilahang sports kay tanan mu undergo og interview and evaluation (We are not limiting who can apply, everyone is welcome to apply. We also do not favor or select based on a specific sport because every applicant will undergo an interview and evaluation),” she added.
Applicants must be bona fide residents of Davao City for at least three years and are required to submit scholarship application form available at the Sports Development Office, certificate of residency, medical certificate that will signify the applicant’s fitness to engage in physical activities, Good Moral Character, and a certificate of enrollment to be submitted one week after classes begin.
The supporting requirements will also include a PSA birth certificate, certificate of indigency or eligibility from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), parents’ or guardian’s latest income tax return, endorsement from a school or sports club, photocopy of latest report card, and proof of participation such as medals or recognitions in competitions.
To remain qualified in the scholarship, tertiary students must have no incomplete or failing grades in the previous school year, while junior and senior high school athletes must maintain at least 80 percent in all subjects.
Adovo also clarified that the athlete must not be a recipient of any current scholarship, financial aid, or grant from any academic institution, government agency, foundation, or organization.
For more information on the ATO NA Scholarship Program and other SDD activities, Dabawenyos may visit the City Sports Development Division’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/citysportsdevelopmentdivision. CIO
Written by: N. Malasado
Edited by: A. Nawal