SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 4th Siklab Youth Sports Awards last week at the Market! Market! Activity Center, Ayala Malls, BGC, Taguig City.
Go, the Chairperson of the Senate Committees on Youth and Sports, reminded the young athletes to persevere and study hard to achieve their goals during the event which celebrated the nation’s top young athletes and sports advocates.
It also honored their achievements in local and international arenas.
“Ako po, with or without award, magseserbisyo ako sa aking kapwa Pilipino at mga atleta. Sa mga kabataan po, please lang, mag-aral kayo nang mabuti. Kayo ang kinabukasan ng bayang ito,” the Senator expressed.
Among the awardees, Senator Go stood out as the sole recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for his unwavering dedication to advancing Philippine sports and empowering young Filipino athletes.
The previous year, during the 3rd Siklab Youth Sports Awards, Go received the Godfather of the Year award.
The Siklab Youth Sports Awards is a pioneering event in the Philippines, dedicated to recognizing exceptional young athletes who have excelled in grassroots tournaments such as the Batang Pinoy Games and Palarong Pambansa. It also highlights the accomplishments of youth athletes who have brought pride to the country in international competitions.
This year’s ceremony that honored 85 individuals across various categories, the Siklab Youth Awards Night organized by the Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission-Philippine Paralympic Committee Media Group also awarded the Para Youth Stars, Youth Heroes Award, Super Kids Award, and Rising Stars Award.
They also recognized Olympics silver and bronze winner Nesthy Petecio as this year’s Sports Idol, athletics chief Terry Capistrano as the Godfather of the Year, Quezon City first district Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde as the Trailblazer of the Year awardee.
In his acceptance speech, the Senator expressed gratitude and renewed his commitment to nurturing the next generation of athletes.
“I’m so proud and of course sa ating PSC, na sa panahon ko bilang Chairman ng (Senate) Committee on Sports, nakakuha tayo ng unang Olympic gold kay Hidylin Diaz… and ngayon history naman po na naka twin gold tayo kay Carlos Yulo, (at Olympic medals rin) kay Nesty Petecio, and kay Aira Villegas,” Go said.
“Magtulungan po tayo para sa sports. Bilang Chairman ng Senate Committees on Health, Youth and Sports, naniniwala po ako na konektado ang health at sports. If we are physically fit, mas hahaba ang ating buhay. Suportahan po natin ang ating mga atleta,” he added.
The event not only highlighted the extraordinary talents and perseverance of young athletes but also inspired the next wave of Filipino sports heroes.
“Kami po ang nagde-defend ng budget ninyo (ng sports). Every year po ‘yan, pinaglalaban natin na maging times three, minsan times five ang budget ng PSC dahil ako po ay naniniwala na dapat suportahan po natin ang ating mga atleta,” Go said.
As a youth and sports advocate, Go continues to urge government to prioritize sports engagement among citizens, not only for elite athletes but also for aspiring youth athletes, especially at the grassroots.
Go also also acknowledged Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann and his commissioners, and Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and his other officials.
