Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino thanked Yuka Saso for having represented the country in major global competitions with a flourish and expressed the belief that despite her decision to embrace Japanese citizenship, “she remains a Filipino by heart.”
“Still, she was born here in the Philippines so by heart she represents both,” Tolentino said the day after Saso told Japanese media that she will opt for her father’s nationality when she turns 22 in two years.
“I would like to thank her personally for representing our country for the past years,” Tolentino said. “Her personal business decision will her develop more as a person and athlete … carrying a Japanese passport for every international tournament helps a lot, imagine no visa needed.”
“Health care and social benefits, too, plus the big sponsorships from Japan,” the POC chief added.
The Philippines lost a gem after reigning US Women’s Open champion Saso announced on Wednesday (Nov. 3) her decision to choose Japanese citizenship when she turns 22 on June 20, 2023.
Japanese laws allow people with dual citizenship to choose their nationality when they turn 22.
Saso was born to a Japanese father and a Filipino mother in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.
“I chose Japan because of its nationality law,” Saso told Japanese media on Wednesday. “I have in my heart that I am both Japanese and Filipino no matter which one I choose.”
“I am full of gratitude for being able to play in Japan again,” Saso, a two-time winner in the Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, said.
Saso won individual and team gold medals at the Jakarta 2018 Asian Games and represented the Philippines at the Tokyo Olympics along with Bianca Pagdanganan and Juvic Pagunsan. (POC) – bny
