PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte has praised Filipino athletes who participated in the recent 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam and commended them for bringing honor to the country.
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| President Rodrigo Duterte poses with the 31st SEA Games medalists during the recognition ceremony at the Malacañan Palace on May 31. Joining them are Senator Christopher Lawrence Go, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez, and Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino. (Ace Morandante) |
Duterte led the recognition ceremony for the athletes. “I am very happy with the results. It is not really in the winning, but going there just to give the country an image. Though maligaya ako na maraming medalya ang nakuha natin. I deeply thank you for representing the country with resiliency, excellence, and sportsmanship, and for bringing pride and honor to the Filipino people amidst the challenges that you had to face in these uncertain times,” he said.
He also
encouraged the youth to engage in sports and other productive activities to
learn the distinct Filipino values and at the same time, uphold the country’s
distinction as among the most competitive athletes in the world.
Duterte also
recognized the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and all the coaches for their
unwavering support in ensuring that the country’s athletes were in their prime
condition to compete at the 31st SEA Games.
While the
government remains steadfast in supporting the country’s athletes, he called on
the PSC and other sports bodies to continue extending their full assistance to
keep athletes motivated in their future endeavors.
“As we unite our
efforts to achieve real and lasting change in our society, it is my hope that,
even beyond my term, our athletes will continue to uphold the competence,
discipline, and commitment that we Filipinos are known all over the world,” he said.
During the
recognition rites, Rubilen Amit, Nathaniel Perez, and Janelle Mae Frayna
represented the medalists for the symbolic awarding.
Amit won two gold
medals in billiards (9 and 10 balls women); Perez, silver medal in fencing
(Foil Individual Men); and Frayna, bronze medal in chess (Women’s individual
Blitz).
All in all, the
country garnered 52 golds, 70 silvers, and 104 bronze medals in 37 sports out
of 39 participated in by the athletes. Almost P35 million in incentives were
awarded to the medalists, with the total cash incentives reaching almost P52
million, including those given to the coaches.
Also during the
program, 178 medalists were awarded the Order of Lapu-Lapu by Duterte. The PSC said
it has recognized Duterte’s consistent backing of the athletes, highlighting it
as the key in their recent successes in the 31st SEA Games. (Mindanao Examiner)
