Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go called for stronger government investment in Philippine sports, saying public funds should prioritize programs and facilities that directly benefit Filipino athletes rather than projects that fail to deliver meaningful value to the public.
Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, made the call after presiding over the committee’s post-Asian Games evaluation hearing on Thursday, October 8, where sports officials and athletes discussed the country’s campaign in the recently concluded 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
On the sidelines of the hearing, Go also spoke with Asian Games pole vault gold medalist EJ Obiena, who expressed appreciation for the senator’s continuing efforts to support Filipino athletes and strengthen the country’s sports programs.
Obiena successfully defended his Asian Games title in Nagoya and set a new Games record in the men’s pole vault, adding another international achievement to Philippine sports.
For Go, government support plays an important role not only in providing resources but also in assuring athletes that the country stands behind them as they compete.
“Importante po dito ’yung alam nila na nandiyan po ang gobyerno na sumusuporta sa kanila. Though I’m just a legislator here ’no, papasa kami ng batas, sinusuportahan namin ang budget ng PSC, but nasa likod po kami para sumuporta sa kanila. Importante po ’yun to boost their morale,” Go said.
He stressed that national athletes should be able to concentrate fully on training and competition without having to worry about basic requirements such as food, equipment and financial support.
“Sabi ko nga, ang mga atleta wala na pong dapat isipin kundi just to focus on playing. Alam n’yo ’yung paglalaro, focus ’yan eh. Lahat ng sporting events, focus ka dapat. Wala ka nang isipin sa pagkain, sa equipment, suporta, lahat. Dapat po ay nakatutok lang po kayo sa paglalaro,” he said.
“Hindi sila kailangang magmakaawa, humingi ng tulong,” Go emphasized.
The senator appealed not only to the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee but also to the private sector to continue backing athletes, stressing that their achievements bring honor to the entire country.
“Kaya nananawagan po ako not only sa gobyerno, sa PSC, sa POC, but sa private sector na suportahan po natin ang ating mga atleta para mas maingganyo po sila,” Go said.
“Alam n’yo tuwing merong mga competition, ang laki po ng karangalan na dala-dala nila ’pag nananalo po sila. Napakaliit po na bagay na pwede naman nating bilang ganti sa kanila, ’yung suporta sa kanila. Suportahan natin ang ating mga atleta,” he added.
Go’s support for Team Philippines extended beyond the Senate. Ahead of and during the Asian Games, he traveled to Japan to personally back Filipino athletes and attended the opening ceremony in Nagoya on September 19, where he witnessed Team Philippines join the Parade of Nations.
He also watched Filipino athletes compete in several events during his stay, underscoring his position that support should be felt by athletes both before and during international competitions.
Asked whether such backing should also be reflected in the national budget, Go answered in the affirmative and said funding should extend beyond elite athletes to grassroots programs that can discover talent from provinces and remote communities.
“Yes, I will continue to support them. Not only sa ating mga atleta, promote the grassroots program para madiskubre natin ’yung mga atleta mula sa mga probinsya, sa malalayong lugar na mabigyan po ng equal opportunity na maka-represent sa ating bayan,” he said.
Central to Go’s grassroots sports advocacy is the National Academy of Sports, established through Republic Act No. 11470, which he authored and co-sponsored. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, the NAS combines secondary education with a specialized sports curriculum to allow promising young athletes to develop their athletic abilities without sacrificing their studies.
Go has also pushed for the regional expansion of the NAS so young athletes from provinces and geographically distant communities can gain greater access to specialized training and education without having to relocate far from their families.
“Ako, being an athlete, not only as a senator but also as an athlete, talagang sinusuportahan ko ’yan,” he said.
Go said investments in sports facilities are equally important, citing efforts to improve major government venues used by Filipino athletes.
He recalled visiting the then ULTRA, now known as the PhilSports Complex, as early as 1984 and later seeing the deteriorated condition of some of its facilities.
“’Yung ULTRA noon, 1984 napasyal ako doon, nanonood po ako ng basketball. Nakakatuwa, nakalaro po ako. Nung 2023 nakita ko may tulo, kaya pinaglaban natin na ma-rehabilitate ang ULTRA, now known as PhilSports,” Go said.
“’Yung Rizal Memorial Coliseum, pinaglaban rin natin na ma-rehabilitate, mapondohan,” he added.
Go has consistently backed funding for the rehabilitation of PhilSports and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, stressing that athletes need proper training environments if the country expects them to compete successfully at the international level.
The senator said projects that directly support athletes and strengthen national sports development deserve priority in the allocation of public resources.
“’Yun po ’yung mga proyektong makakatulong sa ating mga atleta. ’Yun po ang suportahan natin kaysa naman po masayang sa mga proyektong hindi na napapakinabangan ng taumbayan,” he said.
“Unahin po natin itong mga pasilidad na kapaki-pakinabang sa ating mga atleta,” he added.
Asked whether additional millions of pesos may have to be allocated to fully support sports programs and facilities, Go reiterated his full backing for the sector.
“Yes po. Ako, full support po ako sa ating mga atleta. Since 2019, sinusuportahan ko po ang ating mga atleta. Sinusuportahan ko po ang budget ng PSC,” he said.
Go also pointed to the Philippines’ historic Olympic breakthroughs in recent years as proof of what Filipino athletes can achieve when given opportunities and sustained support.
“Since naging Chairman po ako ng Committee on Sports, nakamit po natin ang first ever gold sa Tokyo Olympics at nakadalawang gold tayo sa Paris Olympics. May three gold medals na po tayo sa Olympics,” he said.
“Suportahan natin ang ating mga atleta,” Go concluded.
For Go, greater investment in athletes, grassroots development, the National Academy of Sports and usable sports infrastructure is a practical use of public funds because these programs create opportunities for young Filipinos, develop future champions and allow national athletes to focus on representing the country at their best.
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