Senator Bam Aquino wants stronger government support for Filipino athletes after the Philippines produced its biggest Asian Games medal haul in six decades.
Aquino said the 29 medals won by the 447-member Philippine delegation in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan showed what Filipino athletes can accomplish with proper training and support.
The Philippines finished with four golds, nine silvers and 16 bronzes in the September 19 to October 4 games.
The haul was the country’s biggest since winning 42 medals in the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok. It also surpassed the 18 medals won in the 2022 edition.
In Senate Resolution No. 702, Aquino praised the athletes and called for sustained investment in grassroots sports, training, facilities, coaches and other support programs.
The four gold medals came from Carlos Edriel Yulo in men’s vault and floor exercise, EJ Obiena in pole vault, and Jesus Gabriel Derick Yape in mixed individual virtual taekwondo.
Aquino said the medalists were proof that Filipino athletes can compete at the highest level, but stressed that more young athletes need opportunities to develop their talents.
“With the valiant effort of our Filipino athletes in their respective events, the Philippines delivered an impressive performance, garnering four (4) gold medals, nine (9) silver medals, and sixteen (16) bronze medals across various sports,” he said.
He said the performance should push the government to strengthen sports development at the grassroots level so more Filipino athletes can reach the national and international stage.IMT Sports
