Picture from the Workplace of Sen. Bong Go
MANILA, Philippines — As they signify the nation and embark on the journey that brings them nearer to their Olympic gold medal dream, the athletes representing the Philippines within the 2024 Paris Olympics acquired an added increase from Senator Christopher “Bong” Go and the Philippine Sports activities Fee (PSC) on Friday.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports activities, Go, who’s a sports activities fanatic and an athlete himself, expressed his unwavering help for Filipino Olympians as he personally led the turnover of checks along with PSC chair Richard Bachmann, commissioners Bong Coo and Ed Hayco, Government Director Paulo Tatad, and different officers for the fifteen competing athletes with 9 bodily current throughout the ceremony held on the PSC workplace in Manila Metropolis.
Picture from the Workplace of Sen. Bong Go
The monetary help was made doable by way of the efforts of Go and the PSC. Every Filipino athlete competing within the 2024 Summer season Olympics acquired P500,000 to assist them of their preparations.
READ: Filipino aces fly to Paris Olympics with pocket cash like no different
“Your funds is at all times one thing I battle for… I’ll battle for it as a result of I do know it helps you. As Nesty (Petecio) stated, I do know you’re not after the incentives, the honour, that can’t be purchased. The honour you convey to our nation, you’ll carry that for all times,” Go stated in Filipino.
The athletes who acquired monetary help embody Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Aira Villegas, Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam for boxing; Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza, and Elreen Ann Ando for weightlifting; Carlos Edriel Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Jung, Emma Malabuyo for gymnastics; Joanie Delgaco for rowing; Samantha Catantan for fencing; and EJ Obiena for pole vaulting.
“Don’t thank us. We must be thanking you since you’ve given us the chance to serve you. I’ll by no means neglect our athletes,” stated Go in his speech.
The senator additionally thanked the PSC officers for his or her collaborative efforts, emphasizing their shared advocacy for strengthening the nation’s sports activities applications. “We have to work collectively to make sure our athletes have the help they want,” he expressed.
“The Philippine Sports activities Fee may be very grateful for all of the help acquired for the Filipino athletes. Particular due to Senator Bong Go to your dedication to counterpoint our sector because the Chairperson of the Senate Committee of Sports activities. Your dedication to be at all times on the forefront and battle for higher insurance policies and applications for all of the athletes deserved to be given a salute,” PSC Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo stated.
Moreover, Petecio additionally expressed the athletes’ gratitude, saying, “Sir, senator, we actually really feel the help you give us. We’re deeply grateful for that since you made us really feel the help we athletes want… I additionally need to be sincere that I’ve felt the help now.”
Go, who can also be the chair of the Senate committee on well being and demography, has been a staunch advocate for sports activities, constantly selling it as a method to steer the youth away from vices and promote a wholesome life-style.
“Sports activities and well being are linked. That’s why I at all times say ‘get into sports activities, steer clear of medicine to maintain us wholesome and match.’ Once we are bodily match, we’re wholesome and our lives are prolonged. Sports activities are an enormous assist, not just for bodily well being but additionally for psychological well being,” stated Go.
The senator additionally shared that he has constantly supported the Philippine delegates in varied worldwide competitions. He earlier attended the Asian Video games in China and the SEA Video games in Cambodia, cheering on and motivating Filipino athletes firsthand as a part of his steadfast help for Filipino athletes.
He firmly believes within the potential of Filipino athletes to excel on the worldwide stage, incessantly rallying the nation together with his enthusiastic cheer, “Go for Gold! At all times bear in mind these phrases… These are your motivation. We’re right here for you.”
Go’s sports activities advocacy extends past help to elite athletes as he constantly helps promote grassroots sports activities growth within the nation. This, he believes, will lay a powerful basis for future generations of Filipino athletes.
Notable amongst these is Republic Act No. 11470, authored and co-sponsored by Go, which established the Nationwide Academy of Sports activities (NAS) in New Clark Metropolis, Tarlac, aimed toward offering specialised schooling and coaching for aspiring scholar athletes.
He additionally led the passage of Senate Invoice No. 2514 or The Philippine Nationwide Video games (PNG) Act. Already authorised on the third studying by the Senate, the invoice goals to institutionalize an inclusive platform for a nationwide sports activities competitors that extends to the grassroots to assist determine and develop sports activities abilities if enacted into legislation.
Recognizing the crucial want for ample funding within the sports activities sector, the senator emphasised his profitable efforts to safe an elevated funds for sports activities applications as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee to considerably enhance Filipino athletes’ preparation, coaching, and aggressive efficiency within the worldwide stage, in addition to launch efficient applications to domesticate the abilities of younger and aspiring sports activities fans within the grassroots.
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Go concluded the occasion by wishing the Olympian athletes good luck and inspiring them with the phrases, “Battle for the Philippines!” He assured them that win or lose, your entire nation stands proud and supportive. “As your chairman of the Senate committee on sports activities, I’m at all times behind you,’ he affirmed.”
