Bong Go expresses full support for Filipino athletes competing in at least 5 int’l competitions in 2023
As Filipino athletes prepare to compete in five major international competitions this year — four regional and one world — Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his best wishes for them as he pledged his support for their preparation and participation in these events.
"Hangad ko po ang tagumpay ng lahat ng mga Filipino athletes sa mga gaganaping mahahalagang international competition ngayong taon," said Go.
"May tiwala po ako sa kakayahan ng atletang Pilipino kaya naman po wala po akong duda na maraming karangalan na naman po ang maiuuwi nila sa ating bansa ngayong taon," he added.
As chair of the Senate Committee on Sports and vice chair of the Committee on Finance, Go sponsored funding in the 2023 budget for the preparation and participation of athletes in international competitions.
Major international competitions that will feature Filipino athletes include the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia from 5 to 17 May; the World Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia from 5 to 12 August; the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from 23 September to 8 October; the World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 21 to 30 October; and the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand from 17 to 26 November.
Forty-nine sports are on the schedule for the Cambodia SEA Games, 14 for the World Beach Games, 37 for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, 15 for the World Combat Games, and 32 for the AIMAG.
Recognizing the athletes' dedication, Go reassured them he will remain steadfast in advocating for their well-being and interest. The senator also remarked that he will always be proud of the Filipino athletes regardless of the results of the competitions, adding that their perseverance and efforts are already laudable.
"We are truly grateful for your sacrifice and commitment. Maraming salamat sa pagpapakita ng inyong angking galing sa larangan ng sports," he stressed.
The senator asserted that Filipino athletes can further succeed with adequate government assistance, just as they did at the 2019 SEA Games held in the country, where Team Philippines won the most medals, and at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the Philippines won its first-ever Olympic gold medal.