PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte formally opened the National Sports Summit 2021 in a virtual ceremony on Wednesday, lauding the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for organizing a major program amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“My warmest greetings to the PSC as it spearheads the National Sports Summit 2021. This online sports lecture-forum is indeed timely as we turn to sports as a means to move forward and engendered national unity especially as we deal with a Covid-19 pandemic,” Duterte said in a recorded video message.
Duterte encouraged the close to 600 participants to continue inspiring the young generation.
“Conducting this initiative through this online platform proves that sports can still be a tool in promoting excellence and instilling pride in the hearts of our people even as we prepare for the new normal,” Duterte said. “I urge all the participants to continue your worthwhile endeavors so that we may empower further all Filipinos especially the youth.”
Senator Youth and Sports Chairman Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairman also congratulated the PSC for upholding unity and national progress through sports.
“I would like to thank and congratulate the PSC for organizing this important activity that highlights the value of sports in society,” Go said. “Sports has always been an underrated aspect of nation-building. Given the ongoing pandemic, I believe that sports could serve as a driver for all Filipinos to rise together as one nation.”
Go also guaranteed his support to Philippine sports to achieve lasting legacies in the grassroots and elite levels.
“As chair of the Senate Committee and Sports, rest assured that I will continue to support long-term sports development in the country through our hard work and unity,” he said. “I am confident that more Filipino athletes will put the country on the world stage and that the sports will help us create a much better future for the entire nation.”
Also present during the program was House Committee on Youth and Sports Chairman John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto, Department of Education Secretary Leonor Briones, PSC Chairman William Ramirez and the PSC commissioners.
“Live out your purpose in sports—whether you are an athlete, a coach, a sports educator, a local government sports coordinator or a stakeholder—sports has always taught us to rise up to challenges, dream bigger than us, to reach for goals which border on the impossible,” Ramirez said.
“Together we can do so many things, achieve much for sports and our country,” he added.