President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. broke new ground in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday by placing a significant emphasis on sports, particularly highlighting the participation of 28 Filipino athletes – 22 Olympians and six Paralympians – competing in Paris.
The Paris Olympics and Paralympics begin this Friday in the French capital.
“As we speak, 28 of our finest athletes are competing in Paris now for the glory of the Philippines,” President Marcos said, drawing applause from the audience. “Let us wish them well and the best of luck.”
The Philippine Olympic Committee is grateful for this gesture from the president.
“Thank you, PBBM, for your kind wishes for the athletes at the Olympics,” said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.
“It’s definitely inspiring and it’s an extreme boost to the morale not only of our athletes competing in Paris but of the entire Philippine sports community.”
Tolentino, who will travel to Paris on Tuesday, expressed how unprecedented it was for a sitting President to prioritize sports in such a high-profile address.
“This may be exaggerated but the President putting emphasis on sports in a very important event in his administration – something that’s never been done by past Presidents in memory – gives us goosebumps,” he added.
Tolentino had personally suggested to Malacañang that President Marcos include sports in his SONA.
President Marcos didn’t stop at the Paris Olympics; he also underscored the importance of grassroots sports.
“Grassroots and sports of all programs are back, nailunsad na namin ang Palarong Pambansa after three years na pagkakatigil nito dahil sa pandemya,” he said. “Inabati natin ang Cebu at Marikina at ang Kagawaran ng Education para sa matagumpay na pagkakatanghal ng mga palarong ito.
“We will continue to support these health-enhancing sports programs. Through these, we will also set forth our youth on the same well-established path taken by some of our national champions and renowned athletes to sporting greatness.”
President Marcos also highlighted the role of sports in tourism.
“The focus now is on experiential tourism – foods, heritage, culture, the arts, education, Halal, Islamic traditions, education, dive, cruise, farm, and eco-tourism and even sports have now become potent subjects and products of the nation’s tourism,” he said.
“We are very grateful to the President for showing his love and concern for sports,” Tolentino said.
“And we, at the POC and Philippine sports as a whole, continuously thank his Administration for relentlessly supporting sports through his financial support.”
