HOME ARE THE CHAMPS. The Philippine men's basketball team, one of four gold medalists in the 19th Asian Games, arrives at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in Pasay City on Sunday (Oct. 8, 2023). Led by coach Tim Cone (center), the squad known as Gilas Pilipinas ended the country's 61-year gold-medal drought. (Courtesy of MIAA Media Affairs)
MANILA – Triumphant Filipino athletes in the recently concluded 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China will be honored in an upcoming grand heroes’ welcome at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila.
According to the information relayed by the Office of the President (OP) to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will attend the ceremony for medalists, including gold winners EJ Obiena of athletics, Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez of jiu-jitsu, and the Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team.
“We, at the PSC, express our sincerest gratitude to the President in recognizing the victorious stint of our athletes in this year’s Asian Games,” said Bachmann, who received the news in Hangzhou on Sunday.
“His Excellency’s gesture, together with the proactive support of the national government, will go a long way in the continued success of Team Philippines in international competitions to come,” he added.
Silver medalists Eumir Marcial of boxing and Arnel Mandal of wushu and bronze medalists Patrick King Perez of taekwondo; Jones Inso, Gideon Padua and Clemente Tabugara Jr. of wushu; Alex Eala and Francis Alcantara of tennis; Patrick Coo of cycling; Elreen Ando of weightlifting; Kaila Napolis of jiu-jitsu; Sakura Alforte of karate; and the men’s sepak takraw team.
“Our four golds, two silvers, and 12 bronzes were enough for us to be on the 17th rank among 45 competing nations. We also overcame the 19th overall finish on the last edition of the quadrennial meet held in Indonesia in 2018,” Bachmann said.
Other government agencies like the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepED), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are also being tapped to be part of the celebration.
Filipino athletes who captured medals in the Asian Games are entitled to receive cash incentives from the government under Republic Act No. 10699, also known as the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.’’
On Tuesday, Bachmann is scheduled to deliver a post-Asian Games report and to address matters that are of consequence to the national sports agency’s mandate and commitment to serve the country’s national athletes and ensure their well-being. (PR)
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