By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has expressed the Philippines’ interest in improving cooperation on sports development with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
During a meeting in Malacañan Palace on Friday, Marcos and H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, President of the OCA and the Qatar Olympic Committee, discussed ways to expand access to programs, training, and resources that support Filipino athletes.
Both sides also talked about strengthening institutional collaboration and the possibility for the Philippines to host future regional and international competitions.
“This shows growing confidence in the Philippines as a regional sports partner,” Marcos Jr. said in a social media post on Friday evening.
“We will keep investing in our athletes so they can carry our flag with pride and inspire the next generation.”
According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the visit marks the first high-level engagement between the Olympic Council of Asia and the Marcos Jr. administration.
The PCO echoed Marcos’ statement, noting the country’s commitment to “advancing sports excellence and regional cooperation.”
PH hosting of Asian Beach Games
Meanwhile, the OCA president congratulated Marcos on the outstanding results achieved by the Philippine team at the 2026 Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China in April and the 2028 hosting of the sporting event in Cebu City.
Team Philippines finished fifth overall with three gold, four silver, and two bronze medals.
The country’s gold medals came from Annie Ramirez and Alexandria Luz Enriquez in women’s jiu-jitsu, and Leonard Grospe in men’s high jump.
Among the Philippines’ silver medal haul were windsurfer Dhenver John Castillo, jiu-jitsu fighter Emily Rosalynn Thomas, as well as the Gilas Pilipinas women’s 3×3 team and the women’s relay squad.
Bronze medals were delivered by Jessica Rose Laurance in the 60-meter dash and Jenna Kaila Napolis in jiu-jitsu.
During the closing ceremony of the 2026 Asian Beach Games on April 30, the Philippines officially received the OCA flag and the 2028 hosting rights for the continental multi-sport event for beach sports.
According to the Philippine Olympic Committee, this marks the very first OCA event to be hosted on Philippine shores since 1954, during which the 2nd Asian Games were held in Manila.
The OCA is an independent non-governmental international Asian sports organization, with 45 member Asian National Olympic Committees.
-jpv
