President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday acknowledged the Palarong Pambansa as the country’s pinnacle of national sporting events.
In his speech at the opening ceremony for the sporting event at the Cebu City Sports Center, the President said Palarong Pambansa is the country’s main platform where future record holders and Olympic champions are honed.
“Today, we continue this important legacy, celebrating not just the games but also celebrating the unity, the camaraderie, and the national pride that these games inspire,” President Marcos said.
The Chief Executive noted that the event is more than just an inter-school and inter-regional competition. “It is also a platform where we discover, where we develop, and hone future professional athletes, Olympians, and servant-leaders,” he said.
“Of the five hundred forty-one athletes competing in this year’s Palarong Pambansa, I am certain [that] many will become record holders and champions in their respective fields, not only at the national level but I’m sure, also internationally,” the President said.
During his speech, the President said this year’s edition of the Palarong Pambansa is “particularly special because it marks many firsts.”
The President cited the debut participation of athletes from the National Academy of Sports and Philippine Overseas Schools.
President Marcos said the dance sports will become a regular feature of the games, “a fitting tribute to Cebu, which is one of the most active cities in dance sport competition.”
Soft Tennis, Karatedo, Football for Secondary Girls, and E-sports are also set to make their debut as exhibition sports this year.
The President likewise noted that this year’s Palarong Pambansa will see the integration of technology in web platforms, social media, game statistics, and live streaming.
“It will not only connect [these] games to families and fans around the world but also provide valuable data that we can use to improve [our] performance in future competitions,” he said.
“This occasion holds enormous significance beyond just sports,” Marcos said.
The President said the values and virtues that will be displayed and put into practice during the sporting event, such as excellence, teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and sportsmanship, are the same ideals needed to succeed in life and build a great nation.
Palarong Pambansa showcases a multi-level scholastic competition involving elementary and secondary learner-athletes from 17 regions, the National Academy of Sports, and Philippine Schools Overseas.
It is scheduled from July 6 to July 17. | PND
