Strengthening grassroots sports for the world stage
There are young Filipino athletes from the provinces who may be our next national players if they are only given the opportunity to hone their talents.
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There are young Filipino athletes from the provinces who may be our next national players if they are only given the opportunity to hone their talents.
As I joined our Filipino athletes in Nagoya, Japan, for the 2026 Asian Games, I am reminded that before our athletes reached national and international competitions, they had small beginnings and sacrifices but big aspirations.
It may have been in a barangay basketball court, a school gym, a local swimming pool, or a community sports program. That is why strengthening grassroots sports must remain a priority.
If we want more Filipino athletes to compete and win at the Asian Games, SEA Games, Olympics and other international competitions, we must start by giving our young athletes opportunities to discover and develop their talents.
As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, it is not enough to support our athletes only when they are already competing on the international stage. We must support them from the very beginning — from their training, equipment and coaching to competitions, education and other needs.
As a sports enthusiast and athlete myself, I have pushed measures that seek to build this pathway. Republic Act 11470, which we authored and co-sponsored, established the National Academy of Sports to allow student-athletes to combine formal education with specialized athletic training.
We also pushed Senate Bill 171 for regional National Academy of Sports campuses, SBN 413 to institutionalize the Philippine National Games and SBN 678 to establish the National Tertiary Games.
Since assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Sports in 2019, we have overseen what has been widely regarded as a historic period for Philippine athletics. During this time, our country secured its first Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games and followed it with a twin gold victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics, achieving an unprecedented feat in the nation’s sporting history.
We need to bring sports development closer to our communities because talent is everywhere. There are young Filipino athletes from the provinces who may be our next national players if they are only given the opportunity to hone their talents.
But sports are not only about winning medals.
I also encourage our young people to get into sports and stay away from illegal drugs to keep them healthy and fit.
Sports teach discipline, teamwork, perseverance and resilience, which are important traits to mold one’s character.
The athletes competing in the 2026 Asian Games are proof of what Filipino talent and hard work can achieve. But while we support them today, we must also prepare the next generation who will carry the Philippine flag in future international competitions.
Consequently, upon arriving in Nagoya on 16 September, I immediately checked on the members of Team Philippines. I wanted to know how they were doing, how they were preparing and what they needed as they competed in their respective events. I believe that they should feel the real malasakit during this time. I also watched an Alas Pilipinas Women’s volleyball match to personally show our support for our national volleyball team.
The following day, 17 September, I personally watched and cheered for our women’s basketball and volleyball teams. Congratulations to Gilas Pilipinas Women on their 86-58 victory over Kazakhstan! We also salute our football and volleyball teams for their effort and for proudly representing the Philippines. We also watched and supported our men’s football team on 18 September.
We are incredibly proud of our Filipino athletes who are carrying our flag and representing our country at the 2026 Asian Games. We also had the honor of personally witnessing the opening ceremony in Nagoya, Japan, on 19 September, as we showed our full support for Team Philippines.
Together with my fellow lawmakers, we will help strengthen our grassroots sports, hone our Filipino athletes’ skills and give them the support and chance they deserve to reach their dreams. Go lang nang Go!
Meanwhile, the previous week, our Malasakit Team went to the grassroots level to extend assistance to all the kababayans in need as they aided fire victims in Bislig City, Butuan City, Roxas City and Davao City. Typhoon victims in Arayat, Pampanga, were also given assistance by our office.
Furthermore, the local government of Bulan, Sorsogon, in coordination with the national government, further gives additional assistance to indigent residents. Additionally, scholars from Malabon City also received aid from our Malasakit Team.
As Mr. Malasakit, I will continue to be of service to my kababayans to the best of my ability, especially in pushing for more initiatives and projects that will help improve our athletes’ skills and preparation dahil bisyo ko ang magsebisyo at naniniwala ako na ang serbisyo sa tao ay serbisyo sa Diyos.
