Bong Go leads start of SEA Games torch run, rallies support for Filipino athletes

MANILA, Philippines – Senate Sports Committee Chairman Senator Bong Go led the lighting of the cauldron to signal the start of the torch run for the upcoming 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games last Wednesday, October 30, at SM Lanang in Davao City.

Sen. Bong Go leads the SEA Games torch relay in Davao City together with Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian ‘Baste” Duterte

Bong Go reiterated the government’s commitment to support Filipino athletes in the upcoming games to bolster their chances of winning medals and in recognition of their hard work in bringing pride to the country through sports.

“Ang gobyerno natin ay full support po sa ating mga atleta. One team tayo! We win as one! Go for the gold (The government fully supports our athletes),”  said.

“Suportahan na lang po natin ang ating mga atleta. Sabi ko nga kanina sila ang ating mga bida, lalo na mga probinsyano, katulad nitong mga atleta natin from Davao (Let’s support our athletes.  There are our heroes, especially those from the provinces, like athletes from Davao),” Bong Go said, expressing his admiration for the athletes, particularly those from Davao region representing not only the country, but also their hometown.

Go for gold

“I’m so proud of them, at sila po ang magdadala ng ginto para sa ating bansa. We are expecting na makukuha natin ang ginto, maraming ginto and hopefully mag-qualify sila sa Tokyo Olympics at makuha natin ang ating inaasam na gold doon (They will win the gold for the country.  We are hoping that they win many gold medals and hopefully qualify for the Tokyo Olympics where we  also hope to capture the elusive Olympic gold medal),” he added.

In his message during the event, Bong Go said that the journey of the torch from Davao City to New Clark City in Tarlac is symbolic in uniting the country in support of Filipino athletes as the Philippines will host the regional sporting event for the fourth time in its long history.

“Maraming sinisimbolo ang torch na itatakbo natin mula ngayong araw dito sa Davao, patungong Cebu, patungong Manila, hanggang makarating ito sa New Clark City sa Tarlac. Ang torch run ay isang pagsalubong sa 30th Southeast Asian Games na iho-host ng ating bansa mula November 30 hanggang December 11, 2019 (This torch run symbolizes many things.  This heralds the country’s hosting of the SEA Games),” he said.

Bong Go also stressed that aside from unifying Filipinos to support our national team, the torch run calls for the closer integration and unity among countries in the Southeast Asian region, particularly in terms of sports development.

“Isa rin itong panawagan sa mas maigting na ugnayan at pagkakaisa ng mga bansang kasapi ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Sa pamamagitan ng palaro, nagkakaroon tayo ng pagkakataong magtipon at matulungan ang bawat isa na mailabas at malinang ang galing natin sa sports (The torch run also fosters unity and cooperation among Asean member nations through sports).”

All set

As for the preparation for the Games, Bong Go said that the country is ready to host the festivities in the coming month.

“May mga 85% ready na po tayo. At sa susunod na linggo ay iikot ang House contingent, ‘yung House Committee on Sports titingnan nila ‘yung mga preparasyon,” Bong Go said, adding that he will also join the ocular inspection of the facilities where the games will be held.

“At ako, bilang Chairman sa Senado ay sasama rin po ako, titingnan ko rin po, at sisiguraduhin natin na maayos ang preparasyon.  At hindi lang po iyon, ang pinaka importante po sa amin ni Pangulong Duterte, magamit po ‘yung pera ng gobyerno sa tama up to the last centavo.”

Extra incentives

To inspire Filipino athletes to do well in the SEA Games, Bong Go said that additional rewards and incentives may be provided by the President to the competing athletes aside from the incentives that may be given to them as provided by law.

“Mayroon talagang nakalaan na incentive in every gold na napanalunan, silver at saka sa bronze. And aside from that, nakikita nyo naman po noong nakaraang buwan, ay tinanggap po ng ating mahal na pangulo sa Malacañang mismo ‘yung mga limang nanalo ng mga ginto at silver. Additional po ito pwera sa ibinigay ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) sa kanila ay nagbigay po ang ating Pangulo to encourage them and to boost their morale na laban tayo (There are incentives allotted for medalists, aside from the one set aside by the PSC as mandated by law to boost the athletes’ morale and encourage them to be more competitive),” he said.

Target: Athletic excellence

Optimistic about the development of sports in the country, Bong Go is hopeful that Filipino athletes will soon become “a force to reckon with” in the international sporting stage.

“We have so many things to look forward to in Philippine sports. There is no doubt that Filipino athletes are at par with the best in the world. Combined with the all-out support that our government is giving them, they are a force to reckon with,” the senator declared.

Sports school

Bong Go also emphasized that he recently co-authored Senate Bill (SB) 1086 which seeks to create the Philippine High School for Sports (PHSS), similar to Philippine National High School for the Arts and Philippine Science High School.

The PHSS is proposed to be built in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

The senator is confident that the facility will hone the Filipino youth to become more productive members of society through sports development.

“Dahil malapit ang ipapatayong paaralan sa world-class facilities, mahahasang mabuti ang galing ng mga batang atleta habang nabibigyan sila ng magandang edukasyon,” Bong Go said, stating that the PHSS will serve as the premier training center to develop the skills and talents of aspiring athletes while giving them quality high school education.

He also added that through the PHSS, “mas mabilis na nating maabot ang ating pangarap na maibalik ang pagiging sports powerhouse ng Pilipinas sa Asya (The PHSS will boost our bid to be a sports powerhouse in Asia).”