President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged the Philippine Sports Commission to continue promoting inclusivity and accessibility in sports, reaching out to marginalized communities and making sports a mainstream activity for all Filipinos.
In his speech during the awarding of incentives to the medalists of the 4th Asian Para Games in Malacañang, Marcos instructed the PSC and all other sports associations to continue “breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes.”
Marcos explained that a good sports program should harness the collective strengths to realize the common good.
“In so doing, we can look forward to a new Philippines, Bagong Pilipinas, that is bound by the ideals of industry, integrity, and teamwork and committed to the pursuit of greatness and excellence,” Marcos said.
“We must train, we must fund, and nurture our national sporting elite that (can) compete with the world’s best so they can bring us pride, glory and inspiration. We can do that together with mass sports (to) build a robust national spirit for a common goal,” Marcos added.
Meanwhile, Marcos hailed the country’s para-athletes as “heroes” for their outstanding performance in the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China last October.
“It is just fitting that we are honoring our nation’s para-athletes here in the Heroes Hall, for this is what best describes what you are and who you are,” Marcos said.
The President also likened the para-athletes to Apolinario Mabini, a Filipino revolutionary who despite losing the use of his legs, became a key figure in the country’s fight for independence.
“Mabini, who after losing the use of his legs, used his brilliant mind to rally the people to rise up, to fight, and chase the freedom that we so well-deserved,” Marcos said.
“You are also like that. You do not let your disability discourage you from doing what you wanted, nor did it deter you from achieving your dreams,” he added.
The President also announced that the government will be providing financial incentives to the para-athletes, as well as to their coaches and families.
“It is only fitting that, apart from the thanks of a grateful nation, we also present you with incentives to help you along,” Marcos said.
“We are well aware of the numerous requirements when we compete in international sports competitions,” he added.
Winning a total of 10 gold, four silver and five bronze medals, the country secured the ninth place in the overall medal standings.
A sum of P19.5 million was allocated as bonuses for the para athletes, the PSC said.
PSC chairperson Richard “Dickie” Bachmann was all praises with Malacañang’s move to prioritize sports.
“We are grateful for the support from the President and the national government which was key in reaching our success in 2023. And we look forward to making a stronger thrust in grassroots sports development and serve as instruments of peace, through sports,” Bachmann said.
Recently, Bachmann visited the cities of Davao, Cotabato, Marawi, Iligan and Ozamis to take part in a dialogue with sports coordinators in expanding the PSC’s grassroots talent identification and imposing sports as an instrumentality of peace for the region.
“I am standing here as the Cheerleader-in-Chief to our athletes during the 4th Asian Para Games who have garnered the best result that the country has ever had. Ang gagaling ninyo, salamat sa inyong laban,” the President told the para-athletes and coaches.
Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo was likewise present in the event together with the medalists Jerrold Pete Mangliwan, Jean-Lee Nacita, Jasper Rom, Arman Subaste, Cheryl Angot, Darry Bernardo, Henry Roger Lopez, Cheyzer Crystal Citadel Mendoza, Menandro Redor, Sander Severino, Gary Bejino and Ernie Gawilan, along with their coaches and immediate families.
