All news tagged SenateCommitteeonSports

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, reaffirmed his full support for the budgets of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Games and Amusements Board (GAB), and the Philippine Racing Commission (PhilRACOM) — emphasizing that sustained investment in sports is key to building a generation of disciplined, healthy, and world-class Filipino athletes.

Speaking during a budget hearing, Go highlighted how government backing has already translated into historic success for the Philippines on the global stage.

“Since 2019, when I chaired the Committee on Sports, we won our first-ever Olympic gold in Tokyo through Hidilyn Diaz,” Go said. “And just last year, Carlos Yulo captured two more gold medals in Paris. These victories prove that strong government support leads to results.”

Go noted that despite these triumphs, sports funding remains minimal — only 0.004% of the national budget in 2024. He stressed the need for consistent increases to sustain the country’s progress in international competitions.

“We expect our athletes to perform like world champions, but our support must match that expectation,” Go added. “That’s why we fought to raise PSC’s 2025 budget to ₱1.3 billion.”

Investing in Facilities and Regional Training

The senator also underscored the importance of upgrading sports infrastructure, including athlete dormitories and training centers at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and Philsports (ULTRA).

He proposed the regionalization of sports training centers so that athletes from provinces no longer have to travel to Manila for proper training.

“Let’s bring sports closer to the people,” Go said. “The Philippines is big. We need regional centers to discover and develop talent nationwide.”

He also cited the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in New Clark City — co-authored by Sen. Win Gatchalian — as a model that allows student-athletes to train and study simultaneously.

Boosting Sports Tourism and Hosting Global Events

Go praised the country’s recent hosting of major international tournaments — including the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship, and the upcoming WTA Women’s Tennis Open — noting their positive economic impact and contribution to national pride.

“Hosting world-class events helps promote tourism and shows our capability to the world,” Go said. “We’ve proven that Filipinos can organize events with excellence and passion.”

Supporting Athletes and Fighting Game-Fixing

Beyond funding, Go emphasized the importance of moral and institutional support for athletes, ensuring they can focus solely on competition. He also called on the Games and Amusements Board to intensify its crackdown on illegal gambling and game-fixing, warning that such practices destroy the integrity of sports.

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has renewed his call for the creation of a Department of Sports, calling it long overdue during the Senate Committee on Sports’ first public hearing of the 20th Congress. 

Go emphasized the need for a dedicated department to address the limited budget and resources currently allotted to sports, noting that the PSC only received significant funding increases through congressional intervention.

“Kung titingnan mo sa budget, napakaliit ng (budget) share ng sports talaga. Kaya nga sana, kung kakayanin maging departamento ito,” Go said. 

Go added that given the meager sports budget, it is high time this was done: “Napapanahon na po talaga, at sobrang liit ng natatanggap ninyo.”

Go argued that enhanced government investment is essential to support Filipino athletes’ international success and strengthen grassroots sports development. He cited the country’s first Olympic gold in Tokyo 2020 and the double gold haul in Paris 2024 as proof that sustained support yields results.

“Kaya naman nagdagdag tayo ng budget para maging PhP 1.2 billion ang budget ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) noong 2024,” Go pointed out.

Go also highlighted the wider societal impact of investing in sports, saying it helps protect the youth from drugs and vices while fostering national pride and inspiration. 

“We expect our athletes to perform in international competitions. Kapag nanalo sila damay po ang buong bansa sa honor na dala nila,” Go underscored.

“Makikita naman natin na sulit ang pagsuporta sa ating mga atleta.” “Dati po, since 2019, kulelat tayo sa gold. Sa Olympics, wala tayong gold, naalala ko. Huli tayong silver noong 2016, I think, and before that, 1996 iyung silver na pinakamataas na nakamit natin sa Olympics,” Go added.

“Napapanahon na po talaga,” Go said, underscoring the urgency of establishing a Department of Sports.

“I firmly believe that investing in sports does more than building champions. It protects our youth from drugs and harmful vices while also nurturing world-class athletes who bring pride, honor, and inspiration to our nation,” Go concluded.