Go urges sports officials to unite
Athletes and coaches of the Philippine contingent to the 30th Southeast Asian Games pose with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Sen. Bong Go, Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and sports officials during a ‘call for unity’ at Malacañang the other day.
Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go called for unity among the organizers of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, which the Philippines will host on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.
“One team, one goal,” Go cheered the organizers and members of the Philippine team in a meeting Wednesday. “Let us go for gold.”
The hosting has been marred with questions on which organization has the proper authority to handle the events.
Go asked the officials involved to settle the matter and accept President Duterte’s decision for the sake of the athletes who will represent the country.
“I wish you all much wisdom and the gift of discernment to come up with the best decisions you can make today,” Go said in his speech. “The future of sports in the country is in your hands.”
In the meeting, it was agreed that the conflicting parties would jointly manage the event. The privately formed Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation will continue with its functions, including raising funds from the private sector. The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will manage the games. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will handle the release of government funds.
The senator rallied the POC, PSC and Phisgoc officials to be united in order to deliver a good performance in hosting the SEA games. Go added that national interest and the glory, not only for the national athletes, but for the Filipino people are at stake.
“Magkaisa po tayo para sa ikabubuti ng ating mga atleta at para sa tagumpay ng buong Pilipinas. Gawin natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para masuportahan ang Philippine team pero siguraduhin natin na magawa natin ito sa tamang paraan. Let’s go for gold, support our athletes, and make sure no government funds will go to waste,” he said.
In his speech, Go also reaffirmed his commitment to long-term sports development in the country and his stand against corruption.
Go said that if he was chosen as chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, he would accept it to help in the development of athletes and the betterment of the country’s sports development program. “Tatanggapin ko po ito para sa inyo,” he said.
He also shared that he had filed Senate Bill No. 397, which seeks to establish a National Academy of Sports for High School.