Sports

SENATORS Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go graced the opening of the first ever Philippine Professional Sports Summit  yesterday at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and promised to give their all-out support in legislation pertaining  to pro sports.  “Whatever is discussed and agreed upon today, we welcome it and if legislation is needed, we will support it,” said Angara who used to chair the Senate committee on sports. Go, a neophyte Senator and a long-time aide  and confidante of President Rodrigo Duterte also added: “Kung kailangang ilapit natin yan sa presidente, ilalapit natin yan  para makatulong.” The  Summit is a brainchild of Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham”
Mitra. “We are here for a common purpose—to level up the quality of professional sports in the Philippines so it can keep up with the fast-pacing international trends,” Mitra said. “The Philippine Professional Sports Summit aims to bridge gaps and establish strong partnerships between GAB and different professional sports stakeholders in the country which are under the supervisory and regulatory authority of GAB.”

The two-day event also  serves as a platform of communication where the GAB Board, sports stakeholders and professional athletes can share new ideas, bolster partnership, and promote oneness in professional sports industry.

Mitra, himself, was elated that Senators Angara and Go, the new chairman of the Senate sports committee,  dropped by at the PICC.

“Kung anuman ang napag-usapan sa round table discusion natin dito ay ipadada natin sa Senado para magawan nila ng batas or kung may batas na dapat baguhin ay mabago na,” added Mitra. Angara  had already sponsored several laws including the bill that increases the amount of cash incentives to winning athletes, coaches and trainers as well as the establishing of sports academies and training centers. “Nasimulan na natin ang pagbibigay ng suporta sa grassroots level. Pero sa totoo lang kailangan pa nating kumilos ng todo, dahil kulang na kulang talaga tayo sa sports facilities. Kumpara sa mga karatig nating bansa Vietnam, Thailand and even Singapore. Imagine Singapore na halos sinlaki lang ng Metro Manila ay may  21 sports stadiums that can accomodate at least 10,000 people. In the  entire Philippines, may 20 lang tayo,” said Angara. “At karamihan pa dito ay privately owned. Even sa golf course, wala tayong public, maliban  lang yata sa AFP at lahat puro private.” According to Angara, the Senate also increased the budget of  GAB and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). “At the average from 2006 to 2016, the PSC has a budget of P180 million and the GAB P75 million,” Angara said. “In 2017 to 2018, the average budget of PSC is P236 million and GAB P143 million.” Go, on the other hand, promised not only his support to sports also from the President. “Makakaasa po kayo na huling tatlong taon ng Pangulo at habang kami po ay nasa Senado ay maisusulong po natin at mapapalakas ang mga programa sa sports,” he said. “Parang kapit-bahay po ninyo kami, lapitan nyo lang at sabihin kung ano pa ang ating magagawa para matulungang ang sports.” GAB has been tasked to regulate and supervise the conduct of the professional sports of basketball, football, boxing, mixed martial arts, racing, golf, muay thai, kick boxing, cycling, billiards and the fast-rising discipline of online gaming or e-sports. The agency also handles some aspects of horse racing and cock fighting. “In this gathering, we will find out where we are and establish a baseline for future development. We want to hear  your suggestions, opinions, and recommendations on various issues affecting the professional sports in the country during the round-table discussion, then, the (GAB) Board will sit down and do  its best to promulgate policies, and take actions to solve situations that may be presented later,” Mitra said. Dr. Alendro Pineda of the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization (Phinado) also talked about the illegal drugs and other banned substances which are sometimes found in over-the-counter energy drinks. Bandera columnist Dennis Eroa was also tapped to speak about the vital role of mass media in promoting professional sports events and building a public image for pro athletes.