Support PH athletes in Asiad – Go

SEN. Christopher «Bong» Go has called on the public to support Philippine athletes competing in the 19th Asian Games as he traveled to Hangzhou City, China, to show his support for Filipinos competing in the quadrennial meet.

As of October 5, the Philippines has two gold, one silver and nine bronze medals in the ongoing Asiad. The event will end on October 8.

«As a Filipino, it is quite heartwarming because our basketball team Gilas Pilipinas won again,» Go said in a statement in Filipino.

Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, has watched Philippine athletes in action in Hangzhou, among them the match between Gilas Pilipinas and Iran at Zijingang Gymnasium on October 3.

He congratulated Gilas Pilipinas for its win over China in the semifinals on October 4, which secured its spot in the gold-medal round against Jordan.

Go praised Justin Brownlee for his clutch performance that led the team to a stunning comeback from a 20-point deficit.

The senator lauded the athletes, coaches, national sports associations and staff, as well as the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) who work hard for the country's participation in the Asiad.

The 2022 budget for the PSC was P200 million but Go said he pushed for an additional P1 billion to enhance the financial support for athletes competing in international competitions.

Go is the author of Republic Act 11470, which established the National Academy of Sports in New Clark City, Tarlac.

Go also filed Senate Bill 423, or the «Philippine National Games Act,» to institutionalize a national platform for young Filipino athletes.