CAGAYAN de Oro City — With less than a month before the 41st Kadayawan Open Skateboarding Competition in Davao City, Cagayan de Oro's young skateboarders are racing against time—not because of a lack of talent, but because they have nowhere to properly train.

The city's youth council is now urging the local government to act.

The Oro Youth Development Council (OYDC) has unanimously approved a resolution asking the City Council to immediately hold committee hearings to fund and establish a dedicated public skateboarding facility, citing the growing challenges faced by local athletes.

Among those affected are Garren Pol Garrido, who recently won third place in Kidapawan City's Palarong Panglungsod, and Izza May Bade, a former Kadayawan first runner-up. 

Both athletes say preparing for major competitions has become difficult because Cagayan de Oro lacks a standard skateboarding park.

Without proper ramps, rails and other competition-grade features, local skaters often have to travel to tournament venues days before events just to familiarize themselves with the course—adding to their expenses and limiting training time.

According to OYDC Youth City Councilor Kyle Chester J. Cotacte, the city's skateboarding community has struggled since the rehabilitation of Divisoria nearly seven years ago displaced its longtime practice area.

Since then, skaters have relied on makeshift courses and public spaces while continuing to bring pride to the city, winning 10 national medals and more than 15 regional tournament titles over the past three years.

"While there have been encouraging conversations and expressions of support over the years, the community has yet to see concrete progress," Cotacte said.

"As someone who listened to the stories of our athletes, I personally believe they deserve more than recognition. They deserve meaningful government support."

The city is planning to build a permanent skatepark inside the proposed Zayas Eco Park, but the project remains under feasibility studies with no definite completion date.

To bridge the gap, the OYDC wants City Hall offices and skateboarding leaders to identify an interim training venue where athletes can prepare for upcoming competitions.

The call comes as skateboarding gains wider recognition in Philippine sports. 

The Philippine Sports Commission has included the sport in the Batang Pinoy 2026 Games for children aged 8 to 15, opening more opportunities for aspiring young athletes.

For Cagayan de Oro's skateboarding community, supporters say a public skatepark is no longer just a recreational space—it is an investment in youth development, athlete safety and equal opportunities.

"If we aspire for Cagayan de Oro to become a city that produces champions, then we must also accept the responsibility of investing in the young people who will become them," Cotacte said. (Dave Achondo, Editorial Associate)