NAIS ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. na maisama sa pang-araw-araw na school activities ng mga estudyante ang isport, binigyang-diin ang leksyon at karakter na natututunan sa pamamagitan ng palakasan na pwede nilang i-apply sa iba pang aspeto ng buhay.

Sa pagbubukas ng PhilSports Complex sa Pasig City nitong Miyerkoles, ibinahagi ng Pangulo ang kanyang personal na alaala nang isali siya ng kanyang ama, si dating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Sr., sa iba’t ibang uri ng palakasan.

“There is no other activity that builds character better than sports. There is no other activity, especially for young people. Because whether you win or lose, it helps you become a better person,” ani Marcos.

Dagdag pa niya, “All of the things you learn when you compete in sports, even at a low level, even if you are still very young, those intramurals… All of these will teach you how to be a better person. And that’s why, just for me, it has become so, so important. That’s why I think it’s important to bring it back to schools.”

Muling tiniyak ng Pangulo ang suporta ng gobyerno sa mga atleta, pagbibigay sa kanila ng lahat ng pangangailangan upang maging matagumpay sa kanilang mga kompetisyon.

“We will continue to inspire young people and we will continue to support that inspiration by saying, ‘We are here. The government is here.’ We are working to make sure that you have all that you need so that things become wonderful, so that you will be triumphant in your competitions wherever you go.”

Kasabay ng reopening, tampok sa PhilSports Complex ang mga na-reconstruct at refurbished na pasilidad tulad ng dormitoryo ng mga atleta, sports museum, dining hall, at sports offices.

Dito tutuluyan ang karamihan ng national training pool ng bansa at mananatiling ‘sought-after venue’ para sa national sports events at cultural engagements ng iba’t ibang organisasyon.

(CHRISTIAN DALE)