SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go is calling on young Filipinos to spend more time on the court, field and playground and less time glued to their phones.
Speaking during a Senate hearing on Thursday, August 20, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, emphasized the role of sports in keeping the youth physically active while developing values that can help them both in and out of competition.
Go cited the suggestion of Olympic boxer Eumir Marcial to encourage greater youth participation in sports, saying athletics can provide young people with a productive environment where they can develop discipline, teamwork and resilience.
“Sports teach discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and resilience—mga mahahalagang katangian sa paghubog ng mabuting pagkatao,” Go said.
He stressed that the push for sports participation is not about completely taking technology away from young people, but about promoting a healthier balance between screen time and physical activity.
“Mas dapat nating hikayatin ang mga kabataan na lumabas, maglaro, at mag-sports kaysa buong araw na nakatutok sa social media at gadgets,” Go said.
For Go, grassroots sports should be more than a pathway toward producing elite athletes. He sees it as an avenue to keep young Filipinos active, disciplined and engaged in meaningful activities.
He also called on families, schools, communities and government agencies to provide more opportunities for children to participate in sports.
“Kung gusto nating ilayo ang ating mga kabataan sa karahasan, sa bisyo, at sa masasamang impluwensya, ilapit natin sila sa sports,” Go said.
With his push for grassroots sports development, Go reiterated that greater access to athletics can help build not only better athletes, but healthier and more disciplined young Filipinos.
“Get into sports, stay away from drugs to keep us healthy and fit,” Go added. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
