WITH the overflowing support for Filipino athletes who saw action in the Paris Olympics, former national player and now Philippine Olympic Committee official Nikko Huelgas said now is the best time to be a national athlete.

The former POC Athlete’s Commission chairman made the remark yesterday as Paris double gold medalist Carlos Yulo and bronze medalist Nesthy Petecio personally received their P2 million and P300,000 reward, respectively, from Aice Philippines at the Hop Inn Limapark in Malvar, Batangas.

Yulo and Petecio, together with Olympians Eumir Marcial, Hergie Bacdayan and Joanie Delgaco, were also given a special token of recognition for honoring the country in the Paris Games and a year’s supply of Aice ice cream.

Huelgas, a prominent triathlete and a two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, said the support coming from the private sector should prod the athletes to pursue their passion in sports. “It’s the best time to be an Olympian and to be a national athlete. Me, coming from a national athlete and former member of the athlete’s commission, I see that it’s more encouraging for the grassroots to pursue sports as a profession because not all the Filipino athletes would like to pursue it professionally given some challenges, especially on the financial side,” he said after the thanksgiving celebration led by Aice brand marketing manager Shereene Yu-De Leon.

“But with private sponsors slowly supporting the campaigns like Aice right now, it would produce more champions in the future and more medals.”

Huelgas, 33, said with the assistance they are getting from private entities, athletes should take advantage.

“Ang laki nu’ng support.I don’t think we can rely on government support alone and with the Philippine Sports Commission. We need more funds from the private sector so that we can really push for sports inclusive for all,” he said.

Huelgas said the aid coming from private organizations should be used for the grassroots level so that athletes can grow and, hopefully, become champions.

“It’s crucial that the support of these private companies would start from the beginning, not only when athletes start winning. With that said, it encourages the athletes and it creates a sustainable program for the athletes,” he said.