Palace unites Philippine Sports

Unity. We win as one. Go for gold. This has been the battle cry of Team Philippines for the upcoming 30th Southeast Asian Games which will be hosted by the country from November 30 to December 11, 2019. Some 300 National Athletes and sports officials called for unity on Wednesday at the Heroes Hall, Malacañang Palace. "This meeting is called within the walls of Malacañang Palace to show that President Duterte is giving his 100% support to the country's hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games." said Executive Director Salvador Medialdea during his speech this morning. He added that, "the preparation for the hosting and the training of our athletes should be at the forefront of everyone's mind. We call all NSAs to support the hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Loyal and true only to the Filipino athletes and loved for our sports." Former Special Assistant to the President and now Senator Christopher Lawrence Bong Go also graced the occasion extending the support of PRRD to the Filipino athletes. "We must ensure that we'll give our athletes and aspiring athletes the best support we can to achieve their goals. The future of Sports in the country is in your hands. Nakikiusap po ako sa inyo, one goal, one team, go for gold." said Go. Also present during the gathering were Philippine Sports Commission Chairman and Team Philippines' Chef de Mission William I. Ramirez and Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano. "As the chief of the government’s sporting arm, I am heavily invested into ensuring that whatever the situation and political climate, our athletes are shielded and given the support they need to focus on their goals of victory." said Ramirez who was also the PSC Chief during the 2005 Manila SEA Games when the country bagged its 1st overall championship in SEAG history with 113 gold, 84 silver and 94 bronze medals.

Ramirez also believes that unity is the key to make Team Philippines' dreams come true with four months to go before the largest biennial multi-sport in the region, "I have to admit that we can keep dreaming but without everyone else here agreeing and putting their head and hearts together, it will remain a dream." Meanwhile, Cayetano is opening his doors for athletes and NSA officials to extend their helping hands during the last phase of the preparations for the Manila meet. "Hindi po ito masasayang Secretary (Medialdea). May disagreements man, may konting pitikan man, in the end, as Sen. Bong Go said, one country tayo, one team, we will go for the gold. So, let us win as one and we can only win as one if we plan as one so please join us in the last phase of the planning and we have room for everyone's opinion." said Cayetano. A total of 530 events in 57 sports will be played during the November 30 to December 11 Manila SEA games.