By Jean Malanum/PNA
MANILA — Go for Gold will continue to promote sports and help athletes bring honor to the country.
Powerball Vice President for Marketing Jeremy Go said there is a need for the private sector to extend financial assistance to sports.
“Our company, Go for Gold, will continue our role to help in the promotion of sports in the country, especially those we have identified as potential sources of gold medals,” said Go during the weekly “Usapang Sports” presented by the Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) at the National Press Club building in Manila last November 29.
Go, who is a former cyclist, has noted potential athletes in different sports.
“Maraming magagaling, maraming talentadong mga atleta sa iba’t ibang sports. Kailangan lamang nating linangin at pag-ibayuhin ang kanilang mga training dito at sa labas ng bansa [There are many good and talented athletes in various sports. We only need to train them further here and abroad],” said Go, who was accompanied by coach Ednalyn Hualda, also Go for Gold project director.
Go stressed the importance of government support from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
“The PSC’s support is vital to sports development. But we also know that the private sector must also help in the development of sports in the country,” said Go, whose company is sponsoring cycling, canoe-kayak and sepak takraw.
Other guests in the forum were Philippine Table Tennis Federation, Inc. (PTTF) president Ting Ledesma, Wrestling Association of the Philippines (WAP) president Alvin Aguilar, Philippine Cricket Association general manager Faisal Khan and Filipino-Australian Jonathan Hill, the captain of the Philippine team competing in the International Cricket Council (ICC) World T20 East Asia Pacific qualifier scheduled Dec. 1-7 at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Friendship Oval in Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Ledesma, who is a former national athlete, said PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez has agreed to shoulder the expenses of Korean coach Kwon Mi Sook, who has been serving as the national team’s foreign coach since 2015.
The PTTF president is using his own money to pay for the expenses of Kwon, who has mentored 2016 Olympics campaigner Ian Larriba, who died of acute myeloid leukemia last September 2.
Ledesma said Kwon was also instrumental in the donation of equipment from the Korea Table Tennis Association and the financial assistance to Lariba.
