President Rodrigo Duterte formally opened the 2021 National Sports Summit during the virtual rites Wednesday.
In a recorded video message, Pres. Duterte stressed the importance of sports in coping with the pandemic.
“This online sports lecture-forum is indeed timely as we turn to sports as a means to move forward and engendered national unity especially as we deal with a COVID-19 pandemic,” Pres. Duterte said.
“Conducting this initiative through this online platform proves that sports can still be a tool in promoting excellence and instilling pride in the hearts of our people even as we prepare for the new normal.”
The President also encouraged the almost 600 participants to continue their endeavors in empowering the youth.
Senator Bong Go, who is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Sports, lauded the Philippine Sports Commission’s efforts in helping improve sports down to the grassroots level.
“Sports has always been an underrated aspect of nation-building. Given the ongoing pandemic, I believe that sports could serve as a driver for all Filipinos to rise together as one nation,” said Sen. Go.
Sen. Go also assured his continuous sport to long-term sports development in the country.
“I am confident that more Filipino athletes will put the country on the world stage and that the sports will help us create a much better future for the entire nation,” Sen. Go said.
Also present during the program were House Committee on Youth and Sports Chairman John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones, PSC Chairman William Ramirez, and the board.
The summit is a three-phase project of the PSC where all the data gathered from Sports Conversations online conference will be used as part of the agency’s groundwork in crafting a new set of resolutions that sports leaders, lawmakers, and stakeholders could use in the future.