PH Paralympians all pumped up for Tokyo Games
Jerrold Mangliwan and his fellow Filipino Paralympians just got a much-needed boost ahead of their participation in the Tokyo Games.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) provided the team with an additional P150,000 in allowances for the meet, which comes at the heels of the country’s successful participation in the Summer Olympics.
“Thank you for believing in our abilities. We promise to bring our best game, enjoy the experience and aim for a medal finish,’’ said Mangliwan, a two-time Paralympian, during the PSC’s social media program People Sports Conversations.
Besides Mangliwan, swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Gary Bejino, powerlifter Achelle Guion, track and field’s Jeanette Aceveda and taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin are highly motivated after the resounding success of Team Philippines in the recent Tokyo Olympics.
“The best para athletes will be there, but we will compete as proud Filipinos and give it our all,’’ said Gawilan, the country’s first gold medalist and multiple gold performer in the Asian Para Games.
‘Life-changing’
Grateful for the PSC’s support, Paralympics chef de mission Francis Diaz said the six Paralympians have prepared well for the Games after spending months in their respective training bubbles together with their coaches.
“Each and every para athlete realizes the opportunity given to them is so big and life-changing. In my mind, all of them are already champions. It will just be an icing on the cake if they bring home medals,’’ said Diaz, the dean of the University of the Philippines College of Human Kinetics (UP CHK).
The entire Team Philippine contingent to the Paralympics on Aug. 24 to Sept. 5 will leave on Sept. 22 headed by Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo and PSC commissioner Arnold Agustin.
“You motivate and inspire the youth with your journey. Just enjoy your game and always think that you are winners. Believe in yourselves,’’ PSC chair William “Butch” Ramirez told the Paralympians.
The PSC chief also told Diaz to ask their psychologists at UP CHK to mentor the Paralympians prior to departure.
