Senator Christopher “Bong” Go announced on Monday that he will file a resolution to have the Committee on Sports conduct an evaluation of Filipino athletes’ participation in the Asian Games.
This statement comes after it was reported that members of the Alas Pilipinas Men team had been struggling financially due to a lack of support.
As chairperson of the Sports Committee, Go expressed concern over such issues hindering athletes from performing at their best while they represent the country in international courts.
The senator said that national athletes should be able to focus on training, backed by sufficient support and reliable, effective management.
“Our national athletes deserve an environment where they can focus on training and competition with adequate support, clear communication and proper management from the organizations entrusted with their development,” Go said during a Senate session on September 28.
“Tandaan po natin, ang Asian Games is one of the largest and most prestigious, multi-sport competitions in Asia, bringing in together the regions’ finest athletes to compete in various sporting disciplines,” he reminded Filipinos.
Go said these athletes, who represent the nation, should not be worrying about anything other than reaching peak performance in their respective sports.
“About 400 athletes po ang nag-represent sa ating bansa sa 20th Asian Games, at nakikiusap po ako sa PSC (Philippine Sports Commission), sa ating POC (Philippine Olympic Committee), at sa NSA (National Sports Association), ang atleta natin, dapat naka-focus po iyan sa kanilang paglalaro, wala nang dapat isipin iyan kundi maglaro lang,” the senator said, adding that all their needs must be supplied—including their allowance, equipment, food, and accommodations—and all concerns resolved immediately and fairly.
“Our athletes carry the Philippine flag every time they step onto the court. I hope that all concerns involving the team will be addressed promptly, fairly, and transparently, always with the welfare of our athletes and Philippine volleyball as the priority. Hindi lang po sa volleyball… Nakikiusap tayo sa PSC, trabaho niyo po iyan, you are the executive arm of this government sa sports. Tutukan niyo po iyan,” Go appealed.
The lawmaker also called on the POC to direct the NSAs to address such concerns promptly.
“At nakikiusap rin po tayo sa POC, since under niyo po ‘yung mga NSA… Ito po namang sa volleyball, mayroon pong tinatawag na PNVF—Philippine National Volleyball Federation—at unfortunately, inamin nama po ng kanilang bagong presidente na nagkaroon po ng problema since kakaupo lang ng kanilang leadership… Sana po’y tugunan kaagad ito ng NSA, asikasuhin ‘yung mga pangangailangan po nila. And I’m urging the PSC na tingnan kaagad ito,” Go said.
“Nakikiusap rin po tayo kay POC President (Abraham) Bambol Tolentino na tingnan rin po, since under po itong mga NSA sa kanilang mga POC,” he explained.
According to ESPN, Alas Captain Bryan Bagunas disclosed that a number of the team’s players have been struggling to attend practices because of overdue, unpaid allowances—having been last paid back in July.
Bagunas shared that some players have begun borrowing money, at times from their own teammates, just to cover transportation costs. The situation is especially difficult for the team’s student-athletes, he added.
