Go wants bigger fund for Paris Olympics

MANILA, Philippines — Recognizing the importance of the country’s campaign in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Sen. Bong Go said he will help seek additional funding to aid Olympiad-bound athletes in their preparation.

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Sports, made the pledge during the third Siklab Youth Sports Awards staged Monday night at the Market! Market! Activity Center, Ayala Malls, BGC in Taguig City, where he was feted with the “Sports Godfather” award.

The senator authored and co-sponsored Republic Act 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports (NAS), and has been an ardent supporter of Philippine sports. This has led him to be recognized in the gala awards organized by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee (PSC-POC) Media Group.

A total of 60 young athletes from 33 sports shared the limelight in the returning awards ceremony for the finest Filipino junior and youth athletes.

Go For Gold Young Heroes awardees Gennah Malapit of athletics (javelin throw), fencers Andrea Sayson, Alexa Larrazabal, Rex dela Cruz, gymnast Ancilla “Charlie” Manzano, all of them medalists in the Southeast Asian Games, were recognized.

World Games champion Alyssa Kylie Mallari of muay, kickboxer Fitzchel Martine Fermato, jiu-jitsu’s Santino Luzuriaga, golfer Rianne Malixi and gymnast Karl Eldrew Yulo joined them on stage in the event also supported by MVP Sports Foundation, Smart/PLDT, CEL Logistics, JC, NLEX, Pacquiao 3-in-1 Coffee and Giligan’s with Market! Market! and Ayala Malls as venue partners.