Senator Christopher “Bong” Go hailed Team Philippines on their outstanding achievement at the 31st Southeast Asian Games, which took place in Hanoi, Vietnam, recently.

The delegation from the country finished fourth in the medal table with a total of 227 medals, including 52 gold medals, 70 silver medals, and 105 bronze medals.

In a statement, Go, who is also the chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, expressed gratitude for the efforts of all the athletes who competed in the biennial sports meet.

“Tauspuso ang aking pasasalamat sa lahat ng mga atletang Pilipino na nagbigay ng karangalan sa ating bayan,” Go said.

“Isang mataas na pagsaludo din sa lahat ng mga manlalaro natin, sa kanilang mga coaches at mga trainors na naghanda sa mahabang panahon para sa palarong ito,” the senator acknowledged.

With 205 gold medals, host Vietnam is the overall champion of the Games, followed by Thailand with 92 and Indonesia with 69.

Meanwhile, the senator applauded the government’s efforts to fully support the delegation’s training and assistance. He appealed that the government should continue to strengthen further into programs, financial aid, and infrastructure to help the athletes succeed.

“Marami nang magagandang idinulot ang ating mga efforts para masuportahan ang atletang Pilipino at mapalakas ang sports development programs sa bansa. Paigtingin pa natin lalo ito,” Go said.

Go earlier told reporters that he will try to seek for more incentives for Filipino athletes who have bagged medals for the country in order to further motivate them to train and work hard.

“I cannot speak on behalf of the President lalung lalo na po patapos na ang kanyang termino, lalung lalo na sa mga incentives ‘no. Pero, I will push for it. Kung kaya pa ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte na magbigay isa-suggest ko po,” said Go earlier.

The Philippine Sports Commission would provide financial incentives to medal-winning athletes. The law, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Incentives and Benefits Act, rewards a Filipino athlete PhP300,000 for each gold medal earned, while a silver and bronze medal are worth PhP150,000 and PhP60,000, respectively.

President Rodrigo Duterte has also traditionally awarded financial bonuses and gives out additional monetary rewards to athletes.

Medalists who break current Philippine records, SEA Games standards, or world records in any measurable international competition may also be eligible for cash rewards, as established by the PSC.

Meanwhile, Go emphasized the country’s great sporting potential, urging the government to continue improving its sports development initiatives, particularly in terms of providing adequate support for local athletes and promoting sports at the grassroots level.

“Malaki ang tulong ng sports sa pagdevelop ng ating kabataan. They are taught values of discipline and hard work. At the same time, we are complementing our efforts of keeping them away from illegal drugs and crime, and making them productive citizens of our country,” Go explained.

As Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, Go pushed for the allocation of sufficient funding for the preparation, training and participation of Filipino athletes in the 2022 SEA Games. He also pushed for funding for the site development and preparation of the Master Development Plan of the Philippine Sports Training Center.

A staunch advocate of sports development in the country, Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020.

The said law is in line with Go’s vision of providing a dedicated learning facility where promising young athletes can further hone their talents while getting quality education. The NAS Main Campus is located at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac.

“Ako naman bilang Committee Chair sa Sports, alam niyo naman parati kong isinusulong, ako po nakikipaglaban para sa kanila, sa budget nila na dadagdagan po ‘yung pondo kada taon at ipalalaban ko po ang ating mga atleta,” said Go.

“Hindi po ako titigil sa pagpu-push po ng tulong, full support po ako sa ating mga atleta. And in fact, willing po ako magpagitna sa kanila kung may mga away diyan or hindi pagkakaintindihan. Willing po ako magpagtina sa kanila. Karangalan po ng ating mga kababayan ang nakataya po dito,” he added.

The NAS is a government-run academy aimed at developing the country’s future athletes by offering quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. It officially started its first academic year on September 13, 2021.

“Ngayon na meron nang National Academy of Sports, mabibigyan na ang mga kabataang atleta ng pagkakataon na mag-training at makapag-aral sa isang world-class na pasilidad at eskwelahan,” the senator remarked earlier.

Cambodia will be hosting the 32nd SEA Games in 2023 in Phnom Penh.