By Atty. Howie Calleja
Arriving as victors during our last Olympic Battle in Paris; allow me to first and foremost mention and congratulate our Team Philippines delegation which is so far the biggest the country has sent to the Summer Gamessince Barcelona in 1992. Mabuhay — EJ Obiena (athletics, pole vault); Lauren Hoffman (athletics, 400m hurdles); John Cabang Tolentino (athletics, 110m hurdles); Carlo Paalam (boxing); Nesthy Petecio (boxing); Eumir Marcial (boxing); Hergie Bacyadan (boxing); Aira Villegas (boxing); Carlos Yulo (gymnastics); Emma Malabuyo (gymnastics); Aleah Finnegan(gymnastics); Levi Ruivivar (gymnastics); Bianca Pagdanganan (golf); Dottie Ardina (golf); Samanthan Catantan (fencing); Kiyomi Watanabe (judo); Jarod Hatch (swimming); Kayla NoelleSanchez (swimming); Joanie Delgaco (rowing); Elreen Ando (weightlifting); John Ceniza (weightlifting); and Vanessa Sarno (weightlifting).
Truly, it was an epic performance for our athletes bringing home two gold and two bronze medals with equally commendable performances by all our athletes. Special mention goes to EJ Obiena and Bianca Pagdanganan for barely missing the podium in both spirited 4th place finishes. Ej said sorry when he didn’t have to for there is nothing to apologise for when fighting for your country. Full of heart, Dottie and Bianca likewise fought and gave a run for the podium up to the last day even when that had to compete without official uniforms in the Paris Games.
As we cherish and savour the victory of Carlos Yulo with his two historic gold medals; and two bronze medals from boxers Nancy Petecio and Aira Villegas; we should not forget all our other athletes. Yes, we should reward our Olympic Medallists but let us likewise continue to support our athletes. More important than the post-victory incentives are our solid support for our athletes in a run up for the LA Olympics four years from now.
To continue to have better performances in the world stage, the grassroots athletics program should be strengthened through an incorruptible and non-political support mechanism whose primary purpose is solely the advancement of Philippine Sports. All our athletes (regardless of what category) should be given equal opportunities to grow and advance most especially in areas we really having a chance in excelling.
Let us free the Philippine Sport industry from multiple forms of corruption (e.g. fraud, bribery, and institutional) that have ranged in extent (e.g. individual to systematic), occurred in varying contexts (non-profit, for profit, sports, sport events, governance, and international and online betting), and resulted in a multitude of consequences (sanctions, financial costs, diminished reputations, employee turnover, and increased oversight). When you see in a video that has made the rounds on social media, Golfer Ardina showing the process of sticking a patch of the Philippine flag to her store-bought shirt; you will know what I mean.
So, to conclude allow me to quote Pope Francis when he said that Sports is “meeting place where people of all levels and social conditions come together to reach a common aim. It is a privileged area around which people meet without any distinction of race, sex, religion, or ideology. It’s where we can experience the joy of competing to reach a goal together, participating in a team, where success or defeat is shared and overcome”. As such, we can do better!