President Rodrigo Duterte congratulates athletes who participated in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in a ceremony held in Malacañang on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017. (Photo from an RTVM video)
President Rodrigo Duterte urged on Wednesday the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to widen its scope of recruitment ahead of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, following the sixth place finish of Filipino athletes in the recently concluded edition of the biennial sporting meet.
“I enjoin the PSC to widen its scope and recruit nationwide,” Duterte said in a meeting with SEA Games medalists in Malacañang. “Look for them in nontraditional places and include members of the indigenous tribes and out-of-school youth.”
“Let us give them a chance to hone their talent and live up to their fullest potential,” he added.
The President said the country’s hosting of the 30th SEA Games in 2019 would be “an opportunity for us to look for talented Filipino athletes from all over the country.”
The Philippines bagged 121 medals, including 29 golds, in the 11-country regional sporting meet.
The medalists received cash incentives and a presidential citation.
READ: Duterte hands out cash incentives to 2017 SEA Games medalists
“I express my heartfelt gratitude to the athletes who have represented us in the recently concluded Southeast Asian Games,” Duterte said. “Through hard work and discipline, you have prevailed and made our nation proud.”
Duterte urged the athletes “to focus on improving and to strive to do better in the next SEA Games.”
“Rest assured that the government and the Filipino people will support [you] every step of the way,” he said. “Continue to represent the best of what the Philippines has to offer, here and abroad. Make us proud again.”
/atm