MANILA, Philippines — Philippine women's national football team mainstay Camille Rodriguez hopes that their historic qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup will bring good things not just to themselves.
Rather, Rodriguez wants to be able to share the benefits they are about to reap to every Filipina athlete.
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Speaking to the Philippine media on Sunday, the midfielder challenged stakeholders to invest more in women's sports.
"It's a challenge all the more to not just the small group believing in us and have seen us succeed, but also for the rest of the world, the rest of the country to see that investment in women's sports, it pays off. I think that the team is a great testament to that," Rodriguez said.
The AFC Women's Asian Cup in India saw the Filipina booters flourish in what is arguably their best tournament in program history.
Other than the World Cup qualification, they were also able to make history with their first program win against Thailand, and their first quarterfinals and semifinals appearance in the tournament.
Instead of focusing on what it means for them, Rodriguez pointed a finger on the bigger picture and hopes their achievement shapes a better future for women's sports in the country.
"It shouldn't just stop with us," Rodriguez said.
"Because the best kind of celebration for somethign as historical as this is to give it to more girls, give it to more athletes like us," she added.