PHILIPPINE athletes bound for the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia are expected to be more determined to take home gold medals as P5-million worth of cash reward awaits them.
The Philippine government and Philippine Olympic Committee are set to give out P2 million each while Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation will be handing out P1 million.
President Rodrigo Duterte said during the sendoff ceremony in Malacañang Palace that Filipino athletes should give their best and play fair and square in pursuit of gold medals.
“All I ask from you is that you do your best and that you do it fair and square,” said Duterte. “In return, trust that we will continue to support the development of our athletes and intensify our commitment towards sports excellence and global competitiveness.”
“Every victory you bring back home is shared by the entire nation. We pray for your well-being and we hope for your successful trip and also a safe return to the country,” the President added.
The President has also expressed his gratitude on the athletes for flying the flag of the country and assured them that the government is behind them.
“All you got here is proof of your commitment and dedication to your respective sports and the sacrifices you went through just to become part of this national team. Your presence here is a testament to the indomitable Filipino spirit,” said Duterte.
He added: “Remember that you do not only compete for yourselves, but also carry with you the pride of your families, your community, and the entire Filipino nation.”
The Philippine team is hoping to improve on their feat in the 2014 Asian Games where they took home 15 medals — one gold from BMX rider Daniel Caluag, three silver and 11 bronze medals.
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Victorias City’s Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) started strong in the 2018 Dynamic Football League (DFL) 2nd Conference last weekend at the Sta. Maria Football Field in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
Teams from DBTI have racked up three victories in the opening day against Bata Elementary School, 4-3, in the Born 2006 and above, 21-0 over the same school in Born 2008 and above and 27-0 vs University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in 2001 and above girls.
In other Born 2006 and above matches, Sikatz-Sum-ag scored double victories, beating Kanlaon HIJOS Football Club (KHFC), 4-1, and Sagay City, 8-0; Trinity Christian School beat Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña Memorial Elementary School, 12-2; and Bata Elementary School drew the University of St. La Salle-B (USLS-B), 2-2.
In the Born 2008 and above category, UNO-R defeated Rizal Elementary School, 8-3; St. John’s Institute beat Mabini FC, 8-0; and USLS-C beat St. Scholastica’s Academy (SSA), 4-3. In the Born 2010 and above category, Villa Angela beat Bata Elementary School, 12-0.
Meanwhile, on the distaff side, Bata Elementary School beat USLS-B 22-0 in the Born 2001 and above category; while USLS-C beat SSA, 9-2, in the Born 2008 and above category.
“Since the annual football league started in 2013, DFL continuously provided opportunities for children to develop their skills and character on and off the pitch,” according to DFL chairman Andrew Infante./PN
