By Genalyn Kabiling
Malacañang has lauded Filipino athletes for bagging at least 24 medals on the first day of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), saying their hard work in training is paying off.
As the Palace praised the athletes’ strong start, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said they also wish good luck to the rest of the athletes in their competition in the coming days.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo (OPS / MANILA BULLETIN)
“The Palace is closely monitoring the performance of our athletes in the 30th South East Asian Games and is pleased to know that their hard work in training is paying off,” he said.
“We congratulate our athletes who have won and brought honor to the country in this ongoing biennial multi-sport event,” he said.
The country has taken the top spot in the SEA Games medal tally at the start of the regional sports meet. Gold (14), silver (5), and five bronze medals were won in various sports competitions.
“We wish the rest of our athletes who will be competing in the coming days the best of luck,” Panelo said.
The country’s early gold haul came following the widely praised opening ceremony of the games over the weekend. The biennial games opened with an impressive spectacle of Filipino culture, music, and dance at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan last Saturday.
Malacañang earlier hailed the country’s spectacular opening ceremony of the Southeast Asian Games, saying it should set the tone for the handling of the tournament.
Panelo said the ceremony showcased the country’s ability to host the biggest sporting events in the world and entertain foreign guests “with the kind of merriment that we Filipinos excel and are famous for.”
It also set the bar high for prospective hosts of international sporting events, he added.
Read more: SEA Games: Wushu, triathlon, dancesport sparkle for Team PH