Go advocates inclusive grassroots sports

Senator Christopher "Bong" Go is pushing for the development of a stronger grassroots sports program across the Philippines to help develop the country's rich talent pool in various sports.

Go's stance follows the induction, on 15 September, of the Curling Winter Sports Association of the Philippines into the World Curling Federation, and its successful performance at the World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 20 to 30 October, where it secured three gold, five silver, and five bronze medals.

Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, emphasized the importance of nurturing young talent across the country and exposing them to various sports competitions for them to discover their potential and have more opportunities to excel. 

The acceptance of the Philippines as a member of WCF marks a significant milestone in the country's sports history. The Philippine team, composed of athletes with Filipino heritage, has already shown promise by securing a second-place finish at the Prague Open from 5 to 8 October in the Czech Republic.

The senator expressed his excitement about the country's foray into the world of curling.

The men's team, led by Marc Pfister, a three-time world men's championship participant, aims to reach the Olympic Winter Games in Milano-Cortina 2026. With a team composed of seasoned athletes like Christian Haller and newcomer Alan Frei, the Philippines is poised for a promising future in curling.

Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has also been a strong advocate of increased funding for sports programs. He revealed that last year's proposed budget for the Philippine Sports Commission was approximately P200 million. However, he together with fellow senators pushed for an additional P1 billion, thereby significantly enhancing the financial support for athletes in international competitions.