Senator Mark A. Villar on Monday, September 12, 2022 enjoined government agencies and legislators to work together in helping the Philippines' basketball athletes improve their performance in international competitions.
In today’s inquiry by the Senate Sports Committee chaired by Senator Christopher ‘’Bong’’ Go on ways to support the Gilas Pilipinas Men's Basketball Team, Villar underscored the importance of basketball as a sport and source of inspiration to Filipinos.
He supported the Senate panel in finding out solutions to the problems being faced by the athletes, as well as their coaches and national sports association Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), after the Philippine team failed to bag the gold medal in the 31st Southeast Asian Games ending the country's decades-long reign in the sporting event.
Villar said he hopes the Senate inquiry would bring about changes in policies and legislation "to bring back the glory of Philippine basketball in the international stage."
"I hope that together, we can bring back not just for ourselves but also for the millions of Filipinos who take pride in the performance of our athletes, and it serves as an inspiration, not only to us but also to many, especially the youth today," he added.
Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino, on the other hand, recommended the integration of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and other uniformed services commands in Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Tolentino noted that every time an athlete bagged a medal from an international competition, he or she will be commissioned with a rank to the AFP and other services.
He also suggested to the PNP Academy the inclusion of kickboxing in its curriculum. He is the head of Kickboxing Association of the Philippines
“Looking at your grassroots presentation, I have yet to see the integration (in your grassroots program) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and all other uniformed services command, including the Philippine Coast Guard,” Tolentino told Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairperson Jose Emmanuel “Noli” M. Eala.
Eala agreed with Tolentino, adding that there are lots of uniformed personnel who are currently included in the national training pool.