The Pasig City local government recognized on Monday, Feb. 6, the numerous wins and medals earned by Pasigueño young athletes in various local, regional, national, and international competitions held throughout 2022.
During the flag raising ceremony, each sports team was called on stage to receive certificates of recognition and cash incentives.
According to the city’s Public Information Office (PIO), the amount that the athletes will receive is dependent on the award they earned and the level of the competition they joined.
Participating in different competitions, the sports teams won gold, silver, and bronze medals in total as follows:
- Archery - four gold medals
- Arnis - 10 gold, 13 silver, nine bronze
- Chess - three gold, seven silver, four bronze
- Dancesport - one gold, one silver
- Fencing - one gold, one silver, two bronze
- Gymnastics - 64 gold, 19 silver, 28 bronze
- Karatedo - 17 gold, 15 silver, 18 bronze
- Muay Thai - seven gold, five silver, three bronze
- Swimming - five gold, four silver, six bronze
- Taekwondo - 24 gold, 36 silver, 71 bronze
- Table Tennis - one gold, one silver, one bronze
- Parabasketball - one gold
- Parabowling - one silver
- Parachess - two bronze
The athletes who joined the Pasig delegation for the 2022 Batang Pinoy National Competition held in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur last Dec. 17 to 21, 2022 were also honored at the ceremony.
The Pasig delegation earned the first runner-up spot for the overall best performing local government unit (LGU) award as they ranked second in the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC)’s overall medal tally.
Overall the delegation won a total of 48 medals – 22 gold, 12 silver, and 14 bronze.
Out of 18 sports events, the local government sent teams for 11 events only.
The Pasig City King Pirates, back-to-back champions of the Professional Chess Association of the Philippines (PCAP) competitions, were also recognized.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said that there is no doubt that Pasig City is one of the local government units with the best grassroots sports program in the country.
"Madaming dahilan kung bakit nakakaproud maging Pasigueño, pero para sa akin, isa sa pinakamalaking dahilan ay ang pagtagumpay ng ating mga atletang Pasigueño (There are many reasons to be a proud Pasigueño, but for me, one of the biggest reasons is the victories of our young Pasigueño athletes)," Sotto said.
He said the City Council wholeheartedly supports the grassroots sports program and will move forwards further improvement in 2023 to 2024.
The local government allotted a total of P4.2 million of its budget for the cash incentives for the athletes and coaches.
"Naniniwala po tayo na ang sports ay hindi lang tungkol sa kompetisyon mismo kundi marami tayong nafofoster na values at characteristics dahil sa sports. Nandyan ang teamwork, disiplina, kalusugan (We believe that sports are not just about competition, but is a way to foster values like teamwork, discipline, and health)," Sotto added.
As a former sportsman, Vice Mayor Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr. also delivered words of encouragement to the athletes, advising them to do well in their studies as they do in their sports of choice.
"Kung nais niyo bigyan ng tunay na karangalan ang ating bansa, hindi lang sa pagpapakita ng galing sa larangan ng palakasan, pati na rin sa larangan ng kaalaman. Kung meron kayo ng kaalaman at disiplina, lahat tayo ay maiaangat natin ang pangarap natin bilang mga Pasigueño at Pilipino (If you truly want to give honor to our country, you must have exceptional knowledge as well as athletic skill. If you have honed discipline and an education, we will be able to reach our dreams as Pasigueños and Filipinos)," Jaworski said.