SEN. Christopher “Bong” Go called for increased government investment in sports, saying public funds should prioritize programs and facilities that directly benefit Filipino athletes.
Go, chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, made the call during the committee’s post-Asian Games evaluation hearing, where sports officials and athletes discussed the Philippines’ performance at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
On the sidelines of the hearing, Go met with Asian Games pole vault champion EJ Obiena, who successfully defended his title and set a new Games record in the men’s event.
Go said government support was important not only in providing resources but also in boosting athletes’ morale as they prepared for international competitions.
“The important thing is for them to know that the government is there to support them. Although I am only a legislator, we pass laws and support the budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), but we are here to stand behind them. That is important to boost their morale,” Go said.
He stressed that national athletes should be able to focus on training and competition without worrying about basic needs, including food, equipment and financial assistance.
“As I have said, athletes should have nothing else to worry about except focusing on their sport. In any sporting event, you need to concentrate. You should not have to worry about food, equipment or support. You should be able to focus entirely on competing,” he said.
“They should not have to beg or ask for help,” the senator added.
Go called on the PSC, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and private sector to sustain their support for Filipino athletes, saying their victories bring honor to the country.
“I am appealing not only to the government, the PSC and the POC, but also to the private sector to support our athletes so they will be further encouraged,” he said.
Government funding should cover grassroots sports development to identify and nurture talent from provinces and remote communities, he added.
“Beyond supporting our athletes, we should promote grassroots programs so we can discover athletes from the provinces and remote areas and give them equal opportunities to represent our country,” he said.
Go cited the National Academy of Sports (NAS), established under Republic Act 11470, which he authored and co-sponsored. Located in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, the academy combines secondary education with specialized sports training to help young athletes develop their abilities while continuing their studies.
The senator seeks to expand the NAS regionally to give aspiring athletes from provinces and geographically isolated communities better access to training and education without having to move far from their families.
Go emphasized the need to rehabilitate government sports facilities, recalling his visits to the former University of Life (Ultra), now the PhilSports Complex, and the deterioration he observed there in 2023.
He also cited efforts to secure funding for the rehabilitation of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, saying athletes need proper training facilities to compete at the international level.
Go said public spending should prioritize projects that provide direct and lasting benefits to athletes and the public.
“We should support projects that help our athletes rather than waste public funds on projects that no longer serve the people,” Go said.
“Let us prioritize facilities that are useful to our athletes,” he added.
