President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sent off the Philippines’ 840-strong delegation to the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in a ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City on April 24, 2023.
Carrying the country’s flag, the Filipino athletes will try to vie for podium finishes in 38 disciplines at the region’s biggest biennial multisport event set from May 5 to 17, 2023 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) assured its full support to all members of Team Philippines including funding preparations, supplies, manpower and logistics.
President Marcos reminded the athletes that the entire nation will be behind them in their bid to win medals in this year’s showpiece hosted by Cambodia, expressing confidence about their training even amidst the pandemic.
“I thank you all for the honor and glory that you bring to our country,” said Marcos Jr. in his speech before around 700 athletes, coaches, and NSA officials who will be leaving for Cambodia in batches in the coming weeks.
“At ngayon… ‘yung mga iba ngayon napupunta sa Cambodia ay hindi pa nag-champion, magiging champion pa lang… The hopes and the dreams and the aspirations of our countrymen for the Philippines ride with you,” said Marcos.
The Philippines will look to equal or surpass the fourth-place finish of the team in the previous SEA Games in Hanoi where it took home 52 gold medals.
Marcos said his support to Philippine sports and the athletes will go beyond the coming SEA Games.
“If this administration, this government can do anything more to support our athletes, to support sports in our country, support the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, if there’s anything more than this government can do, the administration can do, that I can personally do, please make sure to tell me because we are all rooting for you and we want to do everything we can do so that you can be successful in your chosen events,” said Marcos.
