BOXING icon Manny Pacquiao has stressed the importance of sustaining support to national athletes and sports development in general, especially after the country’s successful campaign in the Paris Olympics.
The former senator is glad to see charming and intelligent sports leader Milka Romero getting ready to continue the legacy of her father, Mikee, in sustaining the growth gained in the past that saw the 1Pacman party list play a crucial role in inspiring, motivating and giving financial support to athletes and individuals in need of help.
Being an athlete herself – a former co-captain of Ateneo football team in the UAAP – Milka is the perfect choice to carry on the job that will be left by her father next year.
Milka, the No. 1 nominee of 1Pacman, is excited and ready to give back.
“Kailangan talaga nating tutukan ang laban para sa pag-unlad ng sports. Kitang-kita natin ngayon na ang magagaling nating mga atleta ang umaani ng karangalan para sa bayan,” said Milka, who the former senator in General Santos City.
Milka’s father, Mikee, was the godfather of amateur basketball in 2007 and also headed the cycling and shooting associations, a testament to his passion and love for sports that saw him reward weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz with P3 million for becoming the country’s first Olympic gold medalist during the Tokyo Games.
Silver medalist Nesthy Petecio and bronze winner Eumir Marcial also received substantial financial rewards from Romero.
Now, it’s Milka’s turn to do the same, knowing fully well how support could go a long way for the athletes as she vowed to put emphasis on further boosting the grassroots to give children aspiring to be national athletes enough opportunity and support to develop and reach their true potential.
“Our biggest advocacy is sports. We have grassroots programs where we want to support children in their journey na maging isang atleta. We have already created laws and projects such as the National Academy for Sports and tinutuloy din natin ‘yung mga programs natin,” said Romero, who co-owns Capital Solar Energy in the Premier Volleyball League.
Helping Romero in pushing for sports development and the fight against poverty and other issues are former boxer-turned-civic and political leader Bobby Pacquiao and youth leader and Sheila May “Shey” Sakaluran Mohammad.
“Sobrang excited po ako na ngayon, I’m in a position to help other athletes, our children, the youth to promote yung direction ng discipline and teamwork through sports. Ito po ay mga values na pwede gamitin hindi lang sa pag compete but also sa buhay, yung mga natutunan natin bilang isang atleta,” Milka said.
