THE year 2019 could bring more good news of Filipino athletes’ triumphs in the wonderful world of sports.
This was the assessment of both former Sen. Nikki Coseteng and former Manila Sports Council (MASCO) Chairman Ali Atienza when asked about their observations on local sports in the year about to end and their outlook for the next sporting year.
“Let’s hope the coming new year in sports will be good to all of us,” said Coseteng during the first Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) Christmas Party at the National Press Club in Intramuros, Manila last Monday.
“If our top sports officials will do it right this time, we can have more achievers in all sports, like Jasmine Mojdeh and Marc Bryan Dula in swimming, next year,” said Coseteng.
“Mas madami kayong magandang balitang sports na maisusulatnext year.”
The well-known lawmaker-turned-sports leader said the family-owned Diliman College will continue to do its share in producing outstanding athletes like taekwondo hero Japoy Lizardo and basketball stars under coach Rensy Bajar.
|In swimming, we hope to continue to make a splash in both local and international competitions thru the Philippine Swimming League (PSL) next year,” added Coseteng.
Atienza, considered as the father of the Manila Youth Games during the time of former Mayor Lito Atienza, said sports will be on top of his priorities once he completes his return to public service next year.
“Ibabalik natin ang sigla ng sports sa Manila. Ibabalik natin ang Manila Youth Games. Ibabalik natin ang iba’t ibang paligsahan sa ating lungsod,” said Atienza, who won a gold medal in taekwondo during the 1994 Asian Championships in Manila.
“Itutuloy natin ang sinimulan natin sa sports,” added Atienza, who also served as Presidential Adviser on Youth Affairs from 2005-2007 and now running as congressman of the 5th District of Manila next year.
Also present during the celebration were Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Benny Antiporda, Wrestling Association of the Philippines (WAP) president Alvin Aguilar, Pinoy Youth Dreamers ( PYD) head Beaujing Acot, Philippine Swimming League (PSL) regional director Joan Mojdeh and NPC officials Paul Gutierrez, Lydia Bueno and Jun Mendoza.
TOPS is composed of sports editors, sportswriters and photographers from the country’s leading tabloids.
The group also holds a regular weekly sports forum called “Usapang Sports” at the NPC.
