A lasting legacy will be left behind when the present administration of the Philippine Sports Commission turns over its responsibilities to the next batch of agency of officials.
Commissioner Ramon Fernandez gave this impression as he reflected on the last three years of Philippine sports, which has been very productive.
With weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz delivering the country’s first Olympic gold medal, the big support that the PSC gave to the athletes paved the way for the successes of the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games, the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and to their memorable performances in the Tokyo Olympics.
“We’re happy that this will be our lasting legacy. We are really humbled to have achieved that. I cannot really ask for more,” said Fernandez in a recent radio interview.
The PSC executive said there’s no secret formula when it comes to the great performances of national athletes, except for the exposure and the financial assistance that is regularly given them by the sports body.
“Iyung suporta lang talaga. Maipag-compete mo sila sa mataas na level, they will definitely live up to your expectations and they will definitely live up to their abilities,” added Fernandez.
The Philippines finished with four golds, two silvers and 15 bronzes in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, with Diaz earning a gold in the women’s 53 kg.
Diaz, golfers Bianca Pagdanganan, Yuka Saso and Lois Kaye Go and skateboarder Margielyn Diaz hogged the spotlight by grabbing the golds in their respective events.
When the country hosted the 2019 SEA Games, it claimed the overall honors with its 149-117-129 gold-silver-bronze haul, with Diaz once again leading the charge with a gold medal in the same event.
The past year was a historic one for the Philippines after Diaz took home the country’s first gold off a record-breaking lift in her event.
“Dito nalagyan ng exclamation, ang pagsali natin sa Tokyo Olympics, being the best Southeast Asian performer,” said Fernandez.
The Philippines went home with a gold, two silvers off boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, and a bronze from boxer Eumir Marcial when it was over.
