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Pres. Duterte to Bring Change to Philippine Sports

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With the country’s newest sports heroine Hidilyn Diaz and veteran sports leader Butch Ramirez listening intently beside him, President Rodrigo Duterte announced his vision designed to bring change in Philippine sports.

“We would need a very good (sports) facilities,” Pres. Duterte told the media after meeting with Diaz late Thursday night in Panacan, Davao City.

Diaz arrived on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Brazil and then took a connecting flight to Davao City where she paid a courtesy call to the president.

During their meeting, Diaz presented to the president the Olympic silver medal she won in the 53-kg event of the weightlifting competition in the ongoing Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

To inspire others to follow the footsteps of Diaz, Pres. Duterte promised to give additional PHP2 million cash incentive for the country’s newest sports heroine.

Upon his arrival at the NAIA, Diaz received the PHP5-million check as provided by the new expanded incentive law for the Olympic silver medalist. The Republic Act No. 10699 also provide PHP10 million for gold medalist and PHP2.5 million for bronze winner in the Olympics.

“Medyo kulang. Maybe because I was overjoyed and because of the distinct honor that she brought home kaya dinagdagan ko just also to encourage others that after a hard, long training meron silang makukuha sa kanilang pagod. Honor in sports is very hard get [It’s not enough. I added PHP2 million to encourage others that after arduous training, they will get something in return for the hardwork],” Duterte said in defending the additional cash bonus to Diaz.

Diaz, who stands to receive another PHP500,000 from the local government of Zamboanga City, said she will use part of the incentives for the construction of a weightlifting gym near her house in Zamboanga.

Pres. Duterte agreed with Diaz’s plan, saying more sports facilities should be constructed outside “greater Manila” to discover and train potential athletes.

“I will agree because if we pour in the facilities in the grater Manila, we will not be able to cultivate good Filipino athletes,” Duterte said.

“Historically, it has always been Manila which the epicenter of our athletes training there. Hardly if any talent would get notice from the government especially in the far flung areas in the Philippines,” he added.

The President said sports facilities outside Metro Manila would encourage young children to go into sports and be the country’s future sports heroes.

For the meantime that fund is limited, Ramirez said the PSC will develop and refurbish the existing sports facilities nationwide like in Negros Oriental and Occidental, Davao and Zamboanga provinces that will serve as hubs for the government intensified grassroots sports development.

“The PSC under the Office of the President, will be crafting the first Institute of Sports which is the missing line of the Philippine sports. Out of this, it can create a genuine grassroots sports program,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said initial plan is to make Dumaguete City as center for archery development while weightlifting in Zamboanga City and diving in Panacan, Davao City.

The PSC chief said an executive order is being prepared for the establishment of Institute of Sports.

“Out of that, when the President Duterte is gone after six years, we are able to put up a genuine grassroots sports program under the Duterte administration,” Ramirez said.

Ramirez said they also plan to strengthen the international training for the Filipino athletes, the same strategy that the PSC gave to Diaz that eventually sent her to the Olympic medal podium after two straight failed attempts.

“Ang iiwan ng Duterte administration is genuine grassroots sports program [The Duterte administration’s legacy would be a grassroots sports program],” Ramirez said.

To show that sports has special place in his heart, Pres. Duterte increased the allowance of the athletes to Rio Olympics from USD1,000 to USD3,000 and from USD,3000 to USD5,000 for coaches and officials in simple send-off ceremony in Malacanang last July 18.

Diaz thanked the president for the support and inspiration he given to the Filipino athletes.

“The send-off party with President Digong is very inspiring because he is showing his full support to us,” Diaz said.

Diaz became the first Filipina and only third athlete from the Philippines to win Olympic silver medal after boxers Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco in 1996 Atlanta Olympics and the late Anthony Villanueva in 1964 Tokyo Games.

In 2020, the Olympic Games will return in Tokyo and Diaz promised to shelve any retirement plan and pursue her quest for the country’s first ever Olympic gold medal.

“Siguro hindi na ako papayag na silver lang. Gusto ko gold. Pipilitin ko. Ipinakita ko na kaya pala natin manalo sa Olympics [I will aim for the gold . We’ve shown that we can do it in the Olympics],” said Diaz whose silver medal finish ended the Philippines’ 20-year long Olympic medal drought. (PNA) JMC/JFM

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