Para athletes seeking support

The Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC) is in need of support from both the government and private sector as it braces for a busy calendar for 2026.

PPC president Michael Barredo said he is calling out for support from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the private backers to help in their campaigns in the ASEAN Para Games in Thailand next year from 20 to 26 January and the Asian Para Games from 18 to 24 October in Japan.

“We have the ASEAN Para Games coming up in January, and of course the Asian Para Games sometime in October next year. So, a lot of work to be done,” said Barredo, who aims to surpass their 33-33-50 gold-silver-bronze medal performance in the 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia.

“It’s been a busy year, next year will be even busier, and I’m hoping that the Philippine Sports Commission and the private sector, again, helping us, beginning to help us is the MVP Sports Foundation, and I’m hoping our friends from the San Miguel group, and all these other sports-loving people in the sporting community will come around to help and support our para sports and Paralympic sports movement.”

Hopes are high on the para athletes.

Ernie Gawilan and Angel Otom of swimming, Allain Ganapin of Taekwondo, and Jerrold Mangliwan of wheelchair racing are expected to banner the country in its bid to dominate the ASEAN Para Games and Asian Para Games next year.

Barredo said he hopes to host international competitions next year to give the para athletes the opportunity to compete in front of their countrymen.

“The PSC is embarking on sports tourism as a form, and they’re inviting and hosting games on the international, sub-regional, regional, and even world levels. I hope we can do the same, even in a small way, for para-sports here at the sub-regional level so that we can promote our para-sports at the same time, increase tourism, and invite people from other countries to come to the Philippines in all aspects, inclusive in terms of sports,” Barredo said.