By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. wished Filipino athletes well in their campaign for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia next month.
““It’s a pleasure to be with you (athletes),” said President Marcos during the send-off program for Team Philippines at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City Monday, April 24.
“If this administration can do anything more to support your chosen events, you please make sure to tell me. Because we are all rooting for you to be successful,” he added.
The Philippines will send 905 athletes and 257 officials for the biennial meet slated May 5 to 17 where they will compete in 38 sports.
Joining President Marcos during the send-off ceremony were Sen. Bong Go, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports; Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann and commissioners Bong Coo, Walter Torres, Edward Hayco and Fritz Gaston; Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino and several National Sports Association (NSA) officials.
“Good luck sa inyo. Basta huwag ninyong kakalimutan. Sa lahat ng gagawin ninyo, pakinggan nyo lang ang mga cheer ng mga kapwa Pilipino ninyo. The hopes, dreams and aspirations of our countrymen ride with you,” added Marcos.
Bachmann also led the turnover of the Philippine flag to President Marcos and to Tolentino.
Tolentino thanked the President for gracing the occasion.
“We’re all grateful and inspired for being here with our national athletes in this send-off ceremony,” said Tolentino.
“We know it’s a big challenge for us in the SEAG, but we will do our best to maintain our position,” he added.
Bachmann, for his part, is optimistic of the PH team’s chances in the biennial meet although he refused to give detailed expectations.
“I just want to make sure that the athletes are taken care of and all bases are covered for the athletes. I’m glad we (PSC) were able to give the budget and spread it to all the NSAs and all sports,” said Bachmann, who is on his first SEAG as chairman of the government sports agency.
“Let’s put it this way. Always better than last year, so that’s my goal. Hopefully we can do better,” he added.
At last year’s edition in Hanoi, Vietnam, the country went home with 52 gold, 70 silver and 105 bronze medals to finish fourth overall. A total of 656 athletes competed in 38 sports in that edition.
