Pumaren rallies Pinoy athletes in Cambodia, but some have no shoes, equipment
House Deputy Majority Leader and Quezon City 3rd district Rep. Franz Pumaren (Facebook)
Some of the Filipino athletes campaigning in the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia do not have the proper equipment such as shoes and training gear. This was witnessed first hand by House Deputy Majority Leader and Quezon City 3rd district Rep. Franz Pumaren, who flew to Phnom Penh last May 6 to personally express support to his compatriots. This year’s SEA Games will run from May 5 to May 17. While gracing the event, Pumaren--a muti-time champion in Philippine professional and college basketball--noticed that some of the Filipino athletes lacked basic necessities when it comes to equipment. Despite this, Pumaren tried to rally the athletes by saying that lack of funds shouldn't discourage them from pursuing their dream to win sports competitions whether at home or abroad. “We have talented athletes all over our country who are potential international medalists. We need to find them, train them, fund them, and prepare them for sports competitions so that they can proudly represent our country and nation,” the sportsman-turned-legislator said. Pumaren then urged his congressmen-colleagues "to sponsor their local athletes as they will also motivate the others around them". “We, the members of Congress, should make a collective effort to raise the budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and its attached agencies. If we cannot raise their budget, then maybe I can encourage my fellow legislators to sponsor an athlete once a year,” he said. “Let us give our athletes more reason to fight for our country because they are fighting for us. They are proudly representing our country through their skills and hard work. Our athletes can only do so much, we can fully help develop their skills by providing them the equipment, coach, and basic necessities for their games,” he stressed. The SEA Games are held every two years.