Individual sports pinaboran ng mga business at industry leaders

MANILA, Philippines — Imbes na tutukan ang team sports kagaya ng basketball ay mas mabuting buhusan ng suporta ang mga individual sports katulad ng pole vault, weightlif­ting, gymnastics at boxing.

Ito ang panukala ng mga business at industry leaders kay Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino kahapon sa Pandesal Forum sa Kamuning Bakery.

“Let’s focus on inves­ting in individual sports because that’s our strength. Imagine EJ Obiena, he’s been winning a lot of me­dals for the Philippines,” ani Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) chief George Barcelon.

Mas tipid din kung mga individual sports lamang ang bibigyan ng pondo kesa sa mga team sports na kinabibilangan ng 12 hanggang 15 manlalaro.

Umaasa rin si Barcelon na may mga susunod pa sa yapak ni national weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz na binuhat ang kauna-unahang Olympic gold medal ng bansa sa Tokyo, Japan noong 2020.

“Not to forget our very own first Olympic gold medalist, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, she made e­verybody proud, and ho­ping we can produce a lot of them in the future,” dagdag ni Barcelon.

Dumalo rin sa forum sina Dr. Cecilio Pedro ng Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. at Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr. ng Employers Confederation of the Philippines.

Pinasalamatan naman ni Tolentino ang panukala ng mga business at industry leaders.

“It’s an honor and pri­vilege that our leaders in business and industry are supporting our athletes and our sports program in ge­neral and that their concern inspires young athletes to set higher goals,” ani Tolentino.