Youth sports fest Saturday

By Esme Infante Nii
Advertiser Assistant Features Editor

Straub Foundation's free Sports Fest on Saturday at Manoa Valley District Park and Manoa Elementary School will offer a vast array of clinics taught by guest coaches of various sports: football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, tennis, ballet, street dance, cheerleading, gymnastics, bicycle safety and water safety.

Geared for youths in elementary through high school, the Sports Fest, which runs 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., also will feature workshops and exhibits on sports medicine, healthy cooking, first aid and more.

The goal is to encourage children to get active, especially given the growing incidence of childhood obesity.

"The emphasis will be on health, fitness and injury prevention," said Jay Ishikawa, education manager at Straub Foundation.

In the clinics, the coaches will give talks, then lead drills and/or demonstrations; each child may sign up for two clinics. Participants should bring their own equipment and dress appropriately for their sport.

Jim Leahey and Ronald McDonald will be among those giving motivational talks. Also planned are door prizes, a 1 p.m. snack, a celebrity volleyball challenge and entertainment by Colon.

Registering in advance is strongly recommended; a parent's signature is required for a child to participate in physical activities. The first 100 children 6 and older to register will receive a free T-shirt. Call 524-6755.