PRIVATE SECTOR AID SOUGHT FOR RP ASIAD TEAM
Manila, Aug. 3, 1998 - President Joseph Estrada is urging businessmen and private corporations to support the country's fund-raising campaign for the 1998 Asian Games and the government's overall efforts to develop Philippine sports.
The Chief Executive, a former basketball player and boxing buff, said the fund-raising campaign aptly named "I Support the Athletes" reflects the Filipino's way of helping sports even in times of adversities.
"The promotion of Philippine sports, specifically mass sports, jibes well with the government's pro-people agenda. Thus, we consider sports as a matter of national priority," the President said.
"With the coming Asian Games, the need for us to fully arm our athletes becomes more urgent," said the President, who was the team manager of the basketball team that won the gold medal in the 1995 Southeast Asian Games.
While the government is trying its best to provide the necessary resources for their training and preparation, President Estrada said, "the suffocating grip of the regional crisis that we are currently experiencing prevents us, the government, from being able to give sports the full support it requires for the Asian Games.
The President, said, however, that this crisis will never stop the government from accomplishing what it has to achieve.
"Ang mga Pilipino habang nahihirapan ay lalong lumalaban," he stressed.
Citing sports as a "great equalizer," the President said, "sa sports walang palakasan, walang padrino, walang kamag-anak," he said, adding that everybody, regardless of age, gender and social status has to play according to rules.
The President noted that sports has a soft spot in his heart "because it is one effective tool that can be used to improve the lives of our people" and make them productive citizens.
"We will join hands to ensure that our athletes will go to the battle fully armed. Together, we will ensure that the Philippine team, will have a good fighting chance in the Asian Games," President Estrada said.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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