Globe leads send-off ceremony for PH Volcanoes before the 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournament

Globe Telecom, along with the board members of the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU), recently held a send-off ceremony to show support for the Philippine Volcanoes who are set to compete at the 2020 Olympic Qualifying Tournament. 

The Philippine Volcanoes will face off with Guam, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates on November 23 and 24 in Incheon, South Korea to secure the remaining slot for Asia in the Rugby Sevens event in the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Globe Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala expressed his support for the Philippine Volcanoes team members, congratulated everyone for making it this far and wished them luck for the upcoming qualifying match this weekend. 

“I’ve been a great believer in sports. It brings national unity, it brings our distinct communities of Filipinos from different backgrounds together. I think we have tremendous talent here. I wish you much luck and have no doubt that you guys will be there and make the country proud,” de Ayala said.

Knowing how hard the team has prepared for the upcoming match, former national player and current General Manager for Philippine Volcanoes General Manager, Jake Letts, said that he couldn’t be more proud and winning the Olympic Qualifying Tournament is their golden ticket to go straight to the Olympics next year. 

While all teams from other countries participating in Incheon are expected to give their all and leave everything on the pitch, Letts said that Philippine Volcanoes are equally steadfast to make it to the Tokyo Games and bring honor and glory to the country. 

“The good thing about rugby is that it doesn’t end this weekend. We have to take the 2020 Olympic Qualification and when we come back, we have the gold medal race for the SEA Games,” he added. 

The Volcanoes will try to become the first Filipino rugby team ever to qualify in the Olympic Games. And for team captain Rob Fogerty, they are both physically and mentally ready to win. 

“Rest assured we’re not here to make up the numbers—we’re actually happy to win this tournament. We’re not looking to finish second or third, we definitely want to come out victorious, “ said Fogerty. 

“Our ultimate goal this round is to inspire future generations of Filipino athletes, not just rugby players, but [also] to increase to a certain extent the popularity of rugby. Our ultimate goal is to actually have Filipino men born and bred represent the national team and not have as many overseas players. Right now we need that because rugby in the Philippines is still developing or growing, but hopefully, in 10 years time or when I when I’m [in] my retirement, the percentage of Filipino born and bred men playing in the Volcanoes team will be much higher than it is today” he added.

Fogerty also expressed his gratitude towards Globe Telecom and the Filipino people for their continued support and said that their mindset for this weekend’s qualifying match is to win and bring honor to the Philippines. 

Globe has been supporting rugby and the Philippine Volcanoes since 2010. Two years ago the company renewed its partnership with the national team specifically to help the team qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Games.