Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Go backs struggling boxers

We don’t take for granted the athletes who are struggling because of the crisis

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Senator Christophe­r Lawrence “Bong” Go threw his support to local boxers, who lost their sources of income due to the outbreak of the coronaviru­s disease.

Go, an avid sports fan, said the welfare of the athletes is always on his mind, especially now that amateur and profession­al sports are having a hard time restarting their respective seasons due to the pandemic.

The Philippine Basketball Associatio­n, Philippine Football League and Chooks Pilipinas 3x3 were the only leagues allowed to operate last year while the Philippine Superliga just wrapped up its 2021 Gatorade-PSL Challenge Cup Beach Volleyball tourney.

Aside from them, there were a couple of profession­al boxing matches featuring world champions like Vic Saludar, who prevailed over Robert Paradero, and Pedro Taduran, who lost his crown to Rene Mark Cuarto.

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But other than those, the local sports landscape remains gloomy with athletes, especially those in the grassroots level, struggling to make ends meet.

“We don’t take for granted the athletes who are struggling because of the crisis,” said Go in a video message while his team was conducting an outreach activity at the Abellana Sports Complex in Cebu City last Friday.

“If you need help, please let me know and I, together with President Duterte, would be willing to help. Do not be shy to seek our assistance because it’s our job to serve you.”

A total of 150 local boxers identified by the Games and Amusement Board stood as beneficiar­ies in which they received meals, food packs, vitamins, medical-grade masks and face shields.

They were also provided bicycles for their commute while others were given new pair of shoes.

Some boxers were even given tablets to help their kids go to school under blended learning set-up.

Go, the chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, reiterated that athletes should be prioritize­d in the vaccinatio­n program, especially those who will be seeing action in the Tokyo Olympics and the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

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