PHILIPPINE Sports Commission Chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann was all praises for Filipino athletes who fought tooth and nail to keep the country’s colors afloat in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games ending today in Phnom Penh.
“I am proud of our athletes,” Bachmann said yesterday. “I saw how they worked hard–with my own eyes–while preparing for the games and when they did battle in Cambodia.
“Each moment our flag was raised in honor of a win was a proud moment for every Filipino,” he said.
Only in his fourth month as PSC chairman, Bachmann saw first-hand how Filipino athletes trained and competed in international competitions as he visited different training sessions of national teams in his first few weeks in office.
The SEA Games was the first international competition under his watch and he made sure he had his eyes on each and every athlete in the games.
Bachmann flew in three days before the opening ceremony and made the rounds–as many as he’s permitted by the hectic schedule and at times heavy Phnom Penh traffic.
It’s extremely hot in Cambodia–even hotter back home–but this didn’t deter him from witnessing every victory and every gallant effort by athletes who missed the podium.
The Philippines broke the 50-gold medal barrier last Monday night.
Three more gold medals will mean that Filipino athletes will surpass their harvest in last year’s Vietnam SEA Games.
This inspires Bachmann to fully support Team Philippines’ campaign in future international competitions.
“We reaffirm our support to our national athletes,” he said. “The PSC will continue to work as hard as you train. Salamat sa lahat ng inyong sakripisyo!”
