Angara, Go vow support for sports

MANILA, Philippines — Senators Sonny Angara and Bong Go assured the other day an audience of athletes, officials and influencers attending the first-ever Professional Sports Summit organized by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) at the PICC, Pasay City, that they’ll back every initiative to deliver a strong sports platform for the country.

Angara said the Senate is powered by several senators with a rich background in sports and named Senate president Tito Sotto as a former national bowler, Sen. Manny Pacquiao as the reigning super WBA welterweight champion, Sen. Joel Villanueva as a former national basketball player, Sen. Pia Cayetano as a fitness enthusiast and former volleyball player and Sen. Migz Zubiri as the National Sports Association president for arnis.

Angara called for a “whole-of-nation” approach in promoting a comprehensive and relevant sports agenda. “Every portion of our society – from government to the private sector, schools and corporations, teachers and businessmen, families and friends – must be on the look-out for the next Manny Pacquiao or Hidilyn Diaz,” he said. “Every portion of our society must be ready to help the next Filipino superstar train and improve their craft. Because just as it takes an entire village to raise a child, it takes an entire nation to train an Olympic medalist.”

Angara pointed to bigger budgets for the PSC and GAB, higher incentives for athletes and coaches as prescribed by law and the establishment of the Philippine Sports Training Center as clear signs of positive developments in sports. “They paint a very bright future for Philippine sports,” he said. “But none of these would matter in the long run if we are unable to truly build and maintain an effective grassroots program that allows youth to play, train and basically exercise their passion for a sport.”

Go, as chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, said he recognizes the vital role of sports “in fostering patriotism and nationalism, accelerating social progress and promoting total human liberation and development.” He announced the Senate finance subcommittee’s approval of the proposed PSC budget of P207 million and the proposed GAB allocation of P140 million. 

Go said back in the 1980s, he traded pomelos for complimentary PBA tickets at the Araneta Coliseum and to this day, continues to patronize the pro league by watching games at courtside beside his buddy PBA commissioner Willie Marcial when his schedule allows. During his speech, he pointed to PBA legend Bogs Adornado, who was in the audience, as one of his “idols” and even demonstrated his form in taking jumpshots. Go, the Gilas ambassador during the FIBA Asia/Oceania World Cup Qualifiers, said his door will always be open to athletes and offered himself as “a bridge” to President Duterte in guaranteeing the Chief Executive’s attention to address issues and concerns.

GAB chairman Abraham Mitra invited Angara and Go to speak at the Summit, a gathering of key players in the 13 professional sports that are supervised by the government agency – boxing, muay thai, mixed martial arts, racing, football, golf, billiards, e-sports, basketball, cockfighting, cycling, triathlon and motocross.