Eight-division world boxing champion and Sarangani Congressman Mannny Pacquiao paid tribute to the Philippine delegation’s modest 29-gold medal harvest and sixth overall finish in the recent 28th Southeast Asian Games.
athletes’ performance in the Singapore SEAG (below)
will serve as an investment for future international
competitions, such as the next Olympics in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil. AFP
Instead of joining the many voices demouncing the Filipino athletes’ performances as a debacle, Pacquiao lauded the athletes’ performance which he said indicates what is in store for the country in future international competitions including next year’s Olympic Games in Brazil.
“The mere fact that this year’s medal winners are new faces which, therefore, represent the future of Philippine sports, I consider our athletes’ feats as very successful in terms of investment in the coming international commitments,” Pacquiao, known also as the “Pacman,” said.
“Truth to tell, I was expecting old names like Mark Anthony Barriga and Charlie Suarez in boxing, Eduardo Buenavista and Maristella Torres in athletics, Tac Padilla in shooting, to mention a few, as in many years, to adorn our list of medalists,” Pacquiao said in an interview at his Forbes Park Friday night.
“But to my surprise, what I saw were new faces like Claire Adorna and Nikka Bryan Huelas in triathlon, Eric Shawn Cray and Kayla Richardson in track and field and Mario Fernandez,, Eumir Felix Marcial, Junel Cantancio and Ian Clark Bautista, all in boxing and Marella Salamat in cycling, among others, leading our campaign,” Pacquiao said.
“What I mean is, mga bago na ito, names unheard th past editions of the SEA Games,” said Pacquiao, who was entertaining a group of chess players led by Grandmaster Eugene Torre, who paid him a visit that night. “This means Philippine spors is not dead as many of our countrymen and even several sports leaders have been claiming.”
I’m glad, really of the results, especially in my event boxing where we bagged five gold medals. Magandang balita yan sa campagin natin for out first Olympic gold medal next year in Rio de Janeiro,” he added.
“Well, hanggang ngayon naman eh alam nating lahat na ang pinakamalaking pag-asa natin sa first Olympic gold ay sa boksing, kaya I’m elated na mayroon tayong mga ganitong mga batang bagong discovery na may panahon a para ma-train ng maayos,” said Pacquiao.
The boxing icon, a loving husbsand to wife, Sarangani and father of five children, was reportedly have been appointed as chairman of the lower House’s committee on the country’s participation in the 2016 Summer Games.
Pacquiao, however, said he has yet to be officially informed about the appointment, which was announced by House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte about a month ago.
“Actually, I really still is at a loss on the nature of that appointment, which, honestly speaking, I haven’t seen,” he admitted. “Whatever is the situation, however, I just would like to make it official that whatever help is needed to help in attaining that dream of us , I am very willing to lend my hand.”
“Especially in boxing where I spent almos half of my life the past 20 or so years travelling to the world boxing capitals and establishing rapport with the leaders of amateur boxing, who, I’m sure, are also willing to help,” he said.
“Kung paanong mate-train natin ang ating mga boksingero ayon sa latest technique, I can even talk to Freddie (Roach) na ma-avail natin ang facilities ng wild Card Gym kung saan ay maraming topnotch trainers na malakatulong,” the three-time Fighter of the Year said.
That, Pacquiao added, wold also benefit local coaches and trainers who could learn through an exchange program with their highly-gifted counterparts.
“Lessons which they can transfer to their young and promising Filipino pupils, not in boxing, but in other sports as well such as shooting swimming, taekwondo, and even badminton, tennis and others.’
“As I said, we can use the resuls of the recent SEA Games as investments for our future international commitments,” Pacquiao said.