Tokyo Olympics gold winner Hidilyn Diaz and her fellow medalists are hoping that the collegiate leagues in the country, especially the UAAP and NCAA, will include weightlifting and boxing to inspire young athletes who also want to finish their studies.
Weightlifter Diaz and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam shared the same wish of having their sports in collegiate leagues.
"Sana makita po natin na ‘yung mga medalist ngayon ay sa boxing at weightlifting,” Diaz said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday, August 10.
“Wala pong weightlifting sa NCAA at UAAP pati Palarong Pambansa. Sana ma-consider natin na ipasok. Sana 'yung mga LGU din po masuportahan ang weightlifting and boxing,” added the 30-year-old national athlete who delivered the country's first Olympic gold in 97 years.
Diaz was granted a scholarship by College of Saint Benilde in 2017 and she is keen on finishing her Business Management degree.
On the other hand, the three pugilists also called on the collegiate leagues to add boxing.
Bronze medalist Marcial, who wanted to pursue college education but needed to focus on his training, believes that having a boxing program in schools will produce more talented athletes.
“Kung meron na sa school na boxing, may tournament kayo, naisasabay pa ‘yung aral at boxing, mas makaka-produce tayo ng magagaling na boksingero. Nakikilala 'yung mga boksingero natin," he said.
"At the same time, mapapakita nila kung may talent sila sa boxing. And then, pag nakitaan natin, ‘yung mga NSAs na natin ang magdidiscover sa kanila, tapos naka-graduate pa sila," he added.
Silver winners Petecio and Paalam couldn't agree more with what Marcial said as they also hope that higher education institutions will start giving more www.rustburgpharmacy.com scholarships as well as exposure to weightlifters and boxers.
“Halos pili lang po kasi ‘yung mga schools at universities na nagbibigay ng scholarship sa boxing. Sana po i-open din nila, ‘yung iba rin pong universities," said Petecio.
“Ine-encourage ko lalo na ‘yung mga paaralan para din po makilala po ang mga atleta," said Paalam. "Hindi po kami nae-expose eh, hindi kami nakikilala."