President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday extolled Filipino para-athletes for exhibiting courage and determination to excel in sports and bringing honor and pride to the country.

This, as Marcos led the ceremonial awarding of incentives to 12 Filipino para-athletes who clinched medals in the 4th Asian Para Games held in Hangzhou, China last October 2023.

In a speech delivered at Malacañan Palace’s Heroes Hall, Marcos said the incentives for the medalists are not just monetary tokens but are also “symbols of the love of your countrymen and their admiration for all the sacrifices that you have made for your country and for your countrymen.”

“I am here today before you not just as your President, but as your fan because when it comes to supporting athletes [who] compete under our flag, I am the Cheerleader-in-Chief, self-appointed. It is just fitting that we are honoring our nation’s para-athletes here in the Heroes Hall, for this is what best describes what you are and who you are,” he said.

“It is only fitting that, apart from the thanks of a grateful nation, we also present you with incentives to help you along. At alam naman natin napakaraming pangangailangan kapag tayo’y lumalaban dito sa mga (And we all know that you need assistance when competing in) international sports competition,” Marcos added.

Marcos also expressed admiration for the para-athletes for not letting their disability discourage them from achieving their dreams.

He likened them to one of the country’s heroes, Apolinario Mabini, saying they show an “image of what a dauntless Filipino should be.”

“You have projected that adversity can be overcome, impairment can harness inspiration, and barriers can be bridges to triumphs,” Marcos said.

“And that’s what inspires all Filipinos, to see again our countrymen overcome the difficulties that you have been born with but nonetheless have overcome those difficulties to bring glory, not only to yourselves, not only to your families but to our country, and that is the greatest achievement of all, as far as I am concerned,” he said.

Marcos also congratulated the coaches and families who give their full support for the para-athletes.

He also hailed the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), which is celebrating its 34th anniversary, for fulfilling its duty to promote and protect the welfare of the Filipino athletes.

However, Marcos said a good sports program “goes beyond trophy collecting” and the PSC and other sports associations should build a nation “where sports serve as an inclusive and unifying force.”

“The overall objective is to promote sports down to the grassroots, not to merely create a talent farm for national teams but to use sports for nation-building,” he said. “So, we must train, we must fund, and nurture our national sporting elite that is able to compete with the world’s best so they can bring us pride and glory and inspiration. We can do that together with mass sports that build a robust national spirit that serves a common goal.”

The 4th Asian Para Games is a multi-sport event held for Asian athletes with physical disabilities.

The country collected a total of 10 gold, four silver and five bronze medals, placing 9th in the overall medal tally.

The triumphant para-athletes received a total of PHP19.5 million worth of incentives. (PNA)