AS part of its ongoing “Play It Forward” campaign to support the next generation of Filipino athletes, local sportsbook OKBet organized a basketball camp for student beneficiaries last Thursday, November 24, at the 838 Sports Center in Tondo, Manila.

Among those chosen as pilot beneficiaries for the grassroots initiative were students from the Alternative Learning System (ALS) program of Marcela Agoncillo Elementary School, Rajah Solaiman Elementary School and Pedro Guevarra Elementary School.

The participants, ages 16 to 20 years old, were trained by players and coaching staff from the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) team GenSan Warriors OKBet led by its head coach Marlon Martin.

Among those who graced the event were OKBet Vice President for Marketing and Business Development Robert Chen and Education Program Specialist for ALS Manila Wendella Tabio.

“Kami sa DepEd ay lubos na natutuwa na mapabilang sa [programa ng OKBet]. Nawa’y magpatuloy ang inyong adhikain na ma-develop lalo ang skills ng ating mga kabataan sa larangan ng palakasan,” Tabio said on her welcoming address.

GenSan Warriors team manager Mermann Flores and point guard Nico Elorde also took the stage to deliver inspirational words to the participants.

“Dream high, reach your goals. Don’t give up,” Elorde told the ALS learners.

Last October, OKBet kicked off its Play It Forward campaign during the first live appearance of the candidates for Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2022, which the sports booking platform company also sponsored.