Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Friday expressed his support for the Philippine delegates in the 14th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) School Games (ASG).

This comes as the country sent a 200-strong delegation of secondary student-athletes, coaches, and other officials to Brunei Darussalam on Thursday.

In a statement, Angara urged the student athletes to carry the Philippine flag with honor as they compete in eight disciplines.

“Keep fighting with fairness, dignity, and pride, and always carry our flag with honor,” he said.

Among the core events are athletics, badminton, basketball, swimming, netball, pencak silat, sepak takraw, and wushu.

Angara, likewise, encouraged the Filipino youth representatives to enjoy their opportunities for growth and learning as they join fellow delegates from other ASEAN member states.

“Ang mahalaga ay ma-enjoy ninyo ang bawat sandali, makabuo ng pagkakaibigan, at maiuwi ang mga life lessons na matututunan ninyo sa bawat laban (What’s important is for you to enjoy each moment, build friendships, and bring home life lessons that you will garner from each fight),” he said.

About 340 medals for the 14th ASG are at stake, including 106 gold, 106 silver, and 128 bronze.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairperson Patrick Gregorio, meanwhile, emphasized the importance of “closer coordination” with DepEd to intensify support for student athletes and enhance the quality of school sports nationwide.

“That is the collaboration we want to strengthen. We are sincere, we are driven, and we want to make our athletes happy,” he said.

To date, the Philippine delegation aims to outperform its sixth-place finish last year at the ASG in Da Nang, Vietnam. (PNA)