Amidst pandemic, 2021 SLSU intramurals go virtual to bring together socially distanced students
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) organized virtual intramurals and culture and the arts to bring together socially distanced students while remaining a positive outlet for student interaction.
With building camaraderie, sportsmanship, and resilience as this year's intramurals theme, students will compete and participate in online activities. This is an initiative of the university, spearheaded by the office of the Vice President for Students and Auxiliary Services and its unit offices, to improve the mental health of the students especially after enduring a timeout from face-to-face interactions.
This student engagement offers a new set of activities than the usual intramural sports the university had in the past. Students will compete and participate in various online games such as Mobile Legends and Call of Duty Tournament. Students who are into arts can also participate in visual art competitions such as painting, poster-making contest, photography, and digital arts. Likewise, students will also take part in a cultural competition like TikTok dance challenge, vocal solo, and spoken word poetry.
In her message during the virtual opening program, University President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes highlighted that in-person events and sports seasons are indefinitely postponed with COVID-19 still present.
"Some might feel like canceling all celebrations and periods including those that mark personal milestones and achievements. But in a way, we are hopeful that putting up these virtual intramurals will give you hope for a brighter tomorrow," President Yepes said while reminding the students to enjoy, have fun and be safe.
During this time of uncertainty, SLSU believes that students can benefit from quality, safe, and virtual activity opportunities through play, recess, and intramurals. However, as much as we would like to have our students back on campus, the university cannot afford to put their lives at risk or the lives of the faculty and staff. As for today and in the next three days, enjoy, have fun and be safe.
This four-day activity has commenced on Tuesday, November 23, and will conclude on Friday, November 26.
Intramural games in 2020 were suspended due to high COVID-19 cases in the province and the country. It definitely cuts out a huge social and recreational component of college life for the students.