BETTER late than never.
Timing it in celebration of the 34th jubilee of the Philippine Sports Commission, President Marcos Jr. yesterday finally awarded the bonuses of the athletes who won medals in the 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games at the Heroes’ Hall in Malacanang.
“You garnered for us the best result in the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou. Ang galing ninyo,” the country’s Chief Executive and No. 1 sports fans told the national para athletes who garnered 10 gold, four silver and five medals in the progressive Chinese port city last October.
The country achieved its best ever finish of 9th overall out of the 44 nations that competed in the Asian Para Games.
“I am here today not only as your President but also as a fan. Because when our athletes compete under our flag, I am the cheerleader in chief, self-appointed. It is only fitting that we recognize you here in the Heroes’ Hall because It describes what you are and who you are,” he pointed out.
Also present at the occasion were Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo, PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann and Commissioners Walter Torres, Bong Coo and Ed Hayco.
The President was all praises for the national para athletes, saying: “You are of a different breed and saying you are made of harder stuff is an understatement. Para athletes have to unchain themselves from further restraints so that you can soar higher, hurdle bigger obstacles and crush more powerful burdens.
“You have done that to show what dauntless Filipino should be. Thad adversity can be overcome. Impairment can harness inspiration and barriers can be bridges to triumph. You are the poster boys and girls in surmounting the odds.”
He added that these “these incentives are not merely monetary tokens but symbols of the love of your countrymen for what you have accomplished.”
Marcos also cited the PSC noting that “If you mandate is include sports that are inclusive it should include a sector that is fighting for inclusivity. If your mission is to mainstream sports in all aspects of national life, it begins by bringing into the fold those who seem to be at the margins. To use sports for nation-building, harness our sports for the collective good.”