President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reportedly confirmed his presence during the send-off ceremony for the Philippine delegation to the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia on April 25 at the Philippine International Convention Center.
It will be a big morale boost for the more than 1,000 athletes and officials competing in the biennial meet considered the ‘Olympics’ in this part of Asia.
The presence of no less than the highest official of the land lends credence to the importance of the event downplayed by few sports officials as the “lowest” international event.
The SEA Games could be labeled the “lowest” but it serves as a stepping stone for athletes wanting to perform better in the Asian Games and eventually in the World Championship or the Olympics.
It should not be discounted nor set aside and be given the least priority.
Besides, the SEA Games has always been a major tool of special bond with other Southeast Asian nations that participation and eventually excelling in it becomes a source of pride for the country and its athletes whose sports, including traditional ones, are not included in the Asian or Olympic calendars.
The SEA Games, to say the least, promotes both the sports and cultural and sports aspects of the participating countries in this part of the world.
Back to the send-off ceremony, it’s an opportunity for the President to talk and meet the country’s sports heroes – those who will be doing battles in the arena, carrying the pride and Philippine tricolors.
It is also a chance for the stakeholders, including the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee, to show a solid and united team – a team with less bickering and intramurals.
In past send-off rites, coaches and athletes received messages from the Philippine president to be reminded of their mission to make their country proud in the sporting arena.
President Marcos’ reported confirmation to be at the send-off rites should turn the athletes on as they strive to improve on the fourth place finish in the Vietnam SEA Games last year.
The President, in his earlier instructions to the PSC, committed to providing the athletes with better nutrition and support for training.
The PSC under chairman Richard Bachmann is doing just that although there is more room for improvement since he has only taken office barely four months.
But the athletes under various National Sports Associations have been training hard with or without the PSC support as most of them have already shouldered the expenses even before the government agency could provide the needed funds.
There is an African proverb which many have heard: It takes a village.
If all stakeholders and the President himself will be there for the Filipino athletes, there’s nothing they cannot achieve.