Statement of PFF President John Anthony Gutierrez
On behalf of PFF, I congratulate all 447 athletes who competed in 38 sports in the 20th Asian Games, as well as their coaches and support staff, for giving their all for the country. Every one of our athletes is a hero. They sacrifice time with their families, their comfort and their youth to bring honor to the Philippines. We are proud of every Filipino who wore the flag in Japan, whatever the result.
We commend the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), headed by Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio. PSC under the Gregorio administration has been the most proactive PSC in nurturing and supporting national athletes, grassroots programs, and technical and coaching development.
Through Chairman Pato’s emphasis on sports tourism, the Philippines has hosted international competitions in as many sports as possible, helping make our country an international destination for sports like futsal, gymnastics, surfing and beach sports, tennis, volleyball, and more. Philippine football has benefited from that approach, and we thank Chairman Gregorio and the PSC.
We praise the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), headed by CEO Alejandro H. Tengco, for generously helping fund national athletes and their coaches, not only at the 20th Asian Games but in other international competitions. PAGCOR’s funding of national sports development is a breakthrough reform. It has surely helped make possible the country’s best Asian Games performance since 1962, and the Philippines’ success abroad.
Finally, we honor the Philippine Olympic Committee, headed by President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, for organizing and unifying the Philippines’ 52 National Sports Associations (NSA). POC has helped elevate Philippine sports as one cohesive and united community. It has sparked the modernization of our overall sports program and the honing of grassroots talents from regional competitiveness to medal-winning at the highest levels of world competition.
Over the past seven years, the Philippines has won an unprecedented three Olympic gold medals and, overall, eight Olympic, 47 Asian Games, and 1,151 SEA Games medals. Taking all of these achievements together, PFF believes the administration of President Tolentino is the most successful POC leadership in history.
PFF is committed to helping uplift Philippine sports even further by making our national football program world class. The unity and synergy of POC, PSC, PAGCOR and the country’s NSAs will ultimately make the Philippines a formidable sports power that the world respects. Most importantly, it will empower and uplift the lives of Filipinos through sports.
Congratulations, Team Pilipinas! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!
