By NG Seruela
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) said Filipino athletes in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were inspired to perform at the “highest level” by first-ever Philippine gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz’s win.
In today’s (July 30) Laging Handa public briefing, PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez said the remaining Filipino athletes in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were motivated following Diaz’s win in the weightlifting category.
“Na-inspire sila lalo to perform at the highest level. Medyo na-motivate sila na kaya ng Pilipino,” he said.
Fernandez said Filipino athletes can be “at par with the best in the world,” noting several athletes from 2018 and 2019 who won in the world championships.
“It’s really just a matter, I believe, in choosing our focus sports — that we really concentrate on sports where we have the chance. These are the individual weight category sports like boxing, weightlifting,” he added.
He claimed that the country’s athletes have “leveled up” since the 2016 Rio Olympics.
“Athletes are only as good as their competition. So kapag isinabak natin ‘yan at the level of competition, siguradong mag-i-improve ‘yang mga ‘yan,” he assured.
PSC Comm. Fernandez bared they formed teams for athletes composed of sports scientists, psychologists, top-level coaches, other experts. He said that they cannot leave the competition to luck.
“Hindi natin pwedeng ipaubaya sa luck, sa swerte, sa buenas ang pagpapanalo, lalo na sa larangan sa Olympics.”
Fernandez also shared that the country lacks a “sustainable grassroots program” where many talents from various provinces can benefit from it. He emphasized that funding the said program on a “regional basis” is the “key” to identifying talents nationwide.
“It’s really about [a] grassroots program, ‘yon ang kulang natin talaga. Since the inception of the PSC, wala talagang sustainable grassroots program — patigil-tigil…It boils down to budget…’Yung lang ang key — fund these programs on [a] regional basis. Make them compete on a quarterly basis, and we will definitely identify these talents,” he said.
In relation to this, Fernandez disclosed that they are working with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the local government units (LGUs) to implement sports programs in various areas nationwide.
“Ang daming talent sa provinces that’s why we are working with DepEd and LGUs to put sports programs.” -rir
