BIGLANG pumasok sa kamalayan ng mga Pilipino si Michael Christian Martinez matapos magpakita ng husay sa figure skating sa 2014 Winter Olympics na ginanap sa Sochi, Russia. Sa kabila ng kakulangan ng suporta, napahanga ni Michael ang buong mundo sa kanyang husay at galing lalo na’t wala namang nyebe dito sa Pilipinas. Nagtapos sa ika-19 puwesto ang 17-anyos na ice skater sa Sochi. Sa isang eksklusibong panayam kay Noel Resultay, ang special assistant to the Philippine Skating Union president, ay tinalakay niya ang kalagayan ng figure skating sa bansa.
How would you describe Michael’s performance in Sochi?
Reaching the free skate program is already a breakthrough. Michael did an excellent performance in Sochi. He made our country proud by finishing 19th out of the 30 best skaters in the world.
Looking ahead, I think he is someone to watch out for in 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. He is a hero in the making.
Ano ang magandang aral ang nakuha ng mga Pilipino sa kahusayang ipinakita ni Michael?
I think ‘yung participation niya in Sochi will encourage athletes and even ordinary Filipinos to think na kaya nilang mag-excel sa kanilang chosen sport inspite of the challenges na pinagdadaanan nila sa buhay tulad ni Michael.
Naging isyu ang kawalan ng suporta kay Michael. May natanggap nga bang suporta si Michael?
Nagbigay ang SM ng total na P1.5 million at ang PSU nagbigay sa kanya ng P500,000 from donors. Nagbigay din ang International Skating Union through PSU ng $6,000.
Do you think that the private sector must do its part in supporting Filipino athletes?
I think it would help athletes with potential if they can get support from the private sector like SM. By the way, Michael also got support from Procter and Gamble through POC. I just don’t know how much.
Sa tingin mo, sakto lang suporta ng PSU kay Michael?
Oo naman. PSU extended all its support hanggang sa abot ng makakaya.
Do you see more Filipino skaters making it to the next Winter Olympics?
Kung homegrown, wala pa. But we have one Fil-Swiss girl and one Fil-Am, ‘yung alternate ni Michael, who have great potential.
Bakit wala pong homegrown?
Marami tayong skaters dito sa Pilipinas pero ‘yung skills hindi pa katulad ni Michael.
Dahil ba mahal ang figure skating as a sport kaya wala nang homegrown na tulad ni Michael?
No. Malaking factor ‘yung training activities and schedules. You know that it is a fact that Filipinos prioritize school over other extra curricular activities, di ba? Mahirap pagsabayin ang school at training.
Nag-sacrifice si Michael by enrolling in home study program. Kaya natutukan niya ang training.
Kung ganun, mahihirapan ba tayong makahanap o makakita pa ng tulad ni Michael?
Alam mo, if you visit the rinks now, makikita mo ‘yung ibang skaters na inspired na inspired mag-training dahil sa nakita nilang achievement ni Michael. Sana magtuluy-tuloy sila.
Pagkatapos ng Sochi, ano na ang susunod para kay Michael?
After Sochi, he will still continue to compete internationally, carrying the Philippine flag. PSU has plans for him which we will discuss with him upon his return.
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