Go stresses importance of grassroots sports

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Bong Go graced the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions at Okada Manila last Saturday and highlighted the importance of investing in the country’s sports development particularly in the grassroots.

The event was held to honor the legacy of the legendary Filipino boxer, Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, and to hail the best professional and amateur boxers in the Philippines. Also in attendance was former senator and boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.

In his speech, Go praised Elorde for not only being a legendary boxer but also a source of inspiration for many Filipinos, including himself who continues to advocate for sports and support to athletes.

“Bata pa ako, idol ko na si Flash Elorde. Parati ko pong naririnig. Inspirasyon siya sa boxing noon pa, kabilang si Manny Pacquiao, who is now a boxing legend himself,” said Go.

He emphasized the importance of keeping Elorde’s legacy alive and mentioned the continued dedication of the Elorde family in promoting boxing among the youth and supporting aspiring athletes.

The senator assured that as chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, he fully supports these efforts of providing more access to sports facilities and programs in communities and by supporting Filipino athletes who compete in various international competitions.

For one, Go mentioned the incentives given to Filipino athletes by former president Rodrigo Duterte during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and previous Southeast Asian Games, aside from those mandated by law.

“It may be a small amount, but it is a great honor for our athletes to receive recognition from the government,” he said.

As a legislator and a sports enthusiast himself, Go reiterated the importance of investing in grassroots sports development.

“We have been working closely with the private sector to provide opportunities and support for our athletes. Importante po ang partnership ng gobyerno at ng private sector,” remarked Go.

“Noong panahon po na nagte-training pa si Hidilyn Diaz, naghanap po tayo ng mga private sponsors na makakatulong pa, which helped in her winning the gold medal in the Olympics,” he added.

As part of his vision to provide a dedicated academy for promising young athletes, Go shared that he authored and co-sponsored a bill in the Senate which became Republic Act No. 11470 in 2020. The law provided for the establishment of the National Academy of Sports System and Main Campus in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac.

The NAS offers a secondary education program with an integrated special curriculum on sports which was developed in close coordination with the Department of Education and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Go explained that the said law is in line with his vision of providing a dedicated learning facility where promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting quality education.

He has also pushed for other legislative measures to safeguard athletes’ welfare as part of the country’s sports development programs. Previously, he expressed his support for the establishment of the Philippine Sports Training Center which held its groundbreaking in Bataan early last year.

Signed by former president Duterte in February 2019, RA 11214 provides for the creation of the PSTC which seeks “to promote and develop sports in the country, to achieve excellence in international sports competitions, to ensure success in the country’s quest to achieve competitiveness in the Olympic Games and to promote international amity among nations.”

Go highlighted that together with the NAS, both institutions are gifts from the government to national athletes.

The senator also stressed the need for a more integrated and wide-ranging way to train Filipino athletes and promote grassroots sports development in the country.

In this view, he introduced Senate Bill No. 423 or the proposed Philippine National Games Act of 2022, which seeks to ensure a more inclusive system of promoting promising Filipino athletes who possess potential in various fields of sports to be given an equal opportunity of becoming future contenders in international sporting competitions and cement the country’s status as a “Sports Powerhouse in Asia”.

The senator also highlighted the Malasakit Centers program, which has become a law and has led to the establishment of 157 Malasakit Centers across the Philippines. These centers are ready to help Filipinos, including athletes, who need medical assistance.

RA 11463 or the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019 was signed by Duterte in 2019 to institutionalize the program. Go principally authored and sponsored the measure in the Senate.

Go then stressed the importance of supporting Philippine boxing by encouraging promoters to stage world championship boxing matches in the country.

“We can help stage these matches and encourage sponsors to support our boxers. We need to make sure that Filipino fighters do not have to go abroad only to compete,” said Go.

The senator also urged everyone not to forget retired boxers, who have sacrificed their health and well-being for the sport.

“We can assist them by providing them with medical and financial support to ensure that they have a good quality of life after their boxing careers are over,” he said.

During his speech, Go acknowledged the presence of important figures at the event, including Liza Elorde and other Elorde family members, Parañaque City Vice Mayor Joan Villafuerte, Games and Amusement Board Chair Richard Clarin, and Filipino boxing icons Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire.

“Sa pagtatapos, nais kong ihayag ang aking suporta sa mga ganitong uri ng pagtitipon at Awarding of Champions. Kailangan nating mapanatili ang mga ganitong pagtitipon upang patuloy na maipagdiwang at magsilbing inspirasyon sa ating mga atleta,” concluded Go.