THE Philippine Masters Games Association (PMGA) is leaving no stone unturned in forming a highly competitive delegation to the World Masters Games scheduled in Taipei from May 17 to 30.
Atty. Al Agra, PMGA president and also head of the Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation, said 42 Filipino athletes no younger than 35 years old have so far enlisted to compete in 10 sports.
“We have athletes who will compete in more than one sport,” said Agra in Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Conference Hall.
The Philippines will vie in basketball, athletics, taekwondo, fencing, archery, triathlon, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting and fun run.
Agra said since the PMGA is a non-profit organization with no funding from the government, the Philippine representatives to the World Masters have agreed to pay for their own.
“They are self-funded since we have no financial support yet from the Philippine Sports Commission. But we are trying. So we pay for our own. Sariling accommodation, airfare and others,” said Agra during the sports program presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission. Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
“And they (athletes) know that,” added Agra, who established the PMGA to promote an “active and healthy lifestyle for masters and seniors through competitions, training and other activities.”
Agra is also the man behind the Masters Pinoy (formerly Tandang Pinoy), which has gathered athletes even beyond 70 years old.
“Kung meron Batang Pinoy, meron din Tandang Pinoy. Our slogan is ‘Ageless Athletes, Timeless Victories.’ There is no age limit in being healthy and active,” said the 61-year-old Agra.
To further promote his vision, Agra said the PMGA is partnering with various NSAs (National Sports Associations) like arnis, swimming, squash, triathlon, cycling, canoe-kayak, rugby, pickleball, padel, trail running and obstacle sports.