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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos mulls plan to level up 'embarrassing' gov't support for Pinoy athletes 

Marcos mulls plan to level up 'embarrassing' gov't support for Pinoy athletes 

Published Aug 9, 2023 10:10 am

Admitting that he is "a little embarrassed" of the limited support given to national athletes, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. bared his plan to improve the support system for Filipino players and their teams.

BBM Pinoy athletes.jpg
President Marcos shares a light moment with a Filipino athlete, who was among the medalists in the ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia, during an awarding ceremony in Malacañang on Aug. 9, 2023. (Photo courtesy of PPA Pool/ KJ Rosales)

Marcos said ample support must be given not only to the athletes but also to their coaches, trainers, nutritionists up to their logistics personnel.

"With admittedly limited resources, we are always — I am always a little embarrassed when I see that we are not supporting our athletes and our coaches and our trainers and all the support groups, even the families," Marcos said on Wednesday, Aug. 9, as he led the awarding of incentives to athletes who competed at the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games.

The President recognized that the efforts of the government in sports are "not commensurate" for the "great service" that Filipino athletes do for the country.

He further said that national athletes still perform and provide good results despite having to resort to asking help from other people.

"Susuklian naman namin ang inyong ginawang sakripisyo, ang inyong dinala na dangal para sa ating mahal na Pilipinas. Kaya asahan ninyo na sa administrasyon na ito ay gagawin natin ang lahat para masuportahan natin at ipalabas natin ang kagalingan, ang husay ng ating atleta (We will repay the sacrifices and the honor you had brought to our beloved Philippines. You can expect that this administration will do everything it can to support you and to be able to show your full potential as athletes)," Marcos said in his speech during the awarding of incentives.

"Karamihan diyan hindi natin natulungan at talagang kung saan-saan na lang kumukuha ng suporta. Nakakahiya pero ganoon pa rin ang resulta. Ang ganda-ganda pa rin ng resulta. Ang titibay pa rin. Nakaka-proud pa rin (We are not able to help many of you, forcing you to seek support from others. It's embarrassing but the result does not change. You still provide good results. You are still as strong. You still make us proud)," Marcos added.

The Chief Executive assured the athletes that the government will help them in improving the Philippines standards in sports by attending to their needs from training to tournaments.

He said the government will come up with a plan to support the Philippine team from the athletes to the coaches, trainers, nutritionists, and even their drivers, citing challenges athletes face in transportation during floods.

Over 900 athletes competed in the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia last May and June 2023. The Philippines placed fifth in the overall medal tally for both sporting events, winning a total of 58 and 34 gold medals, respectively.

The medalists were recognized in a ceremony in Malacañang on Wednesday.

Related Tags

Bongbong Marcos 12th ASEAN Para Games 32nd Southeast Asian Games Filipino athletes President Marcos
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