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| (Image Source: The Daily Tribune) |
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has proven the effectiveness of its grassroots programs after most of its prodigies carried the Philippine flag and eventually made history in the recently concluded Tokyo Summer Olympic Games. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, the Philippines' first Olympic gold medalist, is a proud product of Batang Pinoy (BP) and the Philippine National Games (PNG). Under the management of the PSC, these two youth programs have honed the Filipina weightlifting superstar and helped reach her dreams and become an Olympic champion.
Aside from Diaz, Tokyo 2020 Olympics silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam and bronze medalist Eumir Marcial are also products of these grassroots programs which started their journey towards sports success. They qualified in their regional meets before competing and winning in the global stage. These athletes have put the country on the world map after their historic performances in Tokyo this year. The country has delivered its best-ever Olympic finish with one gold, two silvers and one bronze surpassing its finish at the 1932 Los Angeles Games with three bronzes. PSC Chairman William Ramirez believes that “the Filipino youth will go a long way if we continue investing in our grassroots. Taking care of Hidilyn Diaz since her first Olympic campaign shows that developing athletes should be from the ground up.”
Meanwhile, Olympic artistic gymnastics finalist and world champion Carlos Yulo, weightlifting national record-holder Eireen Ando, taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa and rower Cris Nievarez were also discovered through the agency's youth programs. “The achievement of these young athletes has affirmed the vital role of strengthening grassroots sports alongside elite sports. Working in unity as one nation will truly lead us to a more promising and brighter future for Philippine sports," Ramirez said. The sports agency chief also acknowledged the support and trust of the athletes' parents. “You helped shape champions when you lent your children to sports and eventually become champions in their own fields.”
