Continuing the sporting legacy of his late father, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is likewise putting premium on the exploits of victorious Filipino athletes as part of his administration’s move towards nation building.
Since assuming power in July last year, the President has been hosting countless functions and courtesy calls at Malacañang, lauding amateur athletes and even professionals who have reaped honors regionally and on the world stage.
The triumphant Southeast Asian Games delegations are witness to the Chief Executive’s passion for sports.
Even boxing — a source of pride and joy of his father — had its share of magical moments at the Palace.
It could be recalled that boxing was the former President’s favorite sport apart from golf and chess.
In fact, the government moved heaven and earth to bring Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier to Manila and in October 1975, the two heavyweights fought to a classic brawl that the world remembers until today.
Marcos Sr. was so enamored by boxing that the government channel had almost weekly — slightly delayed — local telecasts of the big fights in the United States during the 1980s.
Picking up from where his old man had left off, the President has rolled out the red carpet for Filipino boxers who had scored big wins overseas.
So far, Malacañang has welcomed Dave Apolinario, world champions Melvin Jerusalem and Marlon Tapales, and fast-rising super-featherweight contender Charly Suarez alongside their respective local and foreign handlers and official representatives.
As for his treatment of the country’s premier sports basketball, his administration also put its best foot forward in ensuring that delegates of the FIBA World Cup 2023 would all head home armed with beautiful memories of the Philippines just like in 1978 when Marcos Sr. led everyone in hosting the biggest basketball tournament next to the Olympics.
This time, Marcos Jr. ordered agencies involved to lend a hand to the organizing Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in guaranteeing a trouble-free hosting.
In the end, the inner circle of FIBA was all praises for Manila’s holding of the group stages and the blockbuster final game involving eventual champion Germany and Serbia.
With Malacañang giving sports its place in the sun, Filipino athletes need not worry about the government’s response to their needs.
With the Asian Games taking place soon in Hangzhou, China, expect Malacañang to make its presence felt via its umbrella agency, the Philippine Sports Commission.
And those who would go home with medals hanging around their necks would soon find themselves making that trip again to the Palace to see the Commander-in-Chief.
Of course, the Malacañang affair won’t be a simple event.
Winning athletes and their coaches are not going home empty-handed.
Malacañang is right there not just to honor but reward them as well.
