NALALAPIT nang ibaba ang telon ng kompetissyon sa 30th Southeast Asian Games. At, pormalidad na lamang ang hinihintay para ideklarang overall champion ang Team Philippines.

Sa kasalukuyan, tangan ng Team Philippines ang kabuuang 92 gintong medalya, 67 silver at 70 bronze.

Bagama’t hindi pa opisyal na nagwawagi, posible na ang overall championship sa Pilipinas, gayung malayung-malayo na ang bilang ng gintong medalya sa kasunod na bansa Indonesia na may 51 ginto sa nalalabing.

“Almost to the final stretch, and I am grateful to God for the steady performance of our team. More than the medal haul, I am thankful for all the sacrifice and hardwork that went behind pushing their chances for a shining moment of victory,” ayon sa mesaheng ipinaabot nio Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

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Binigyang halaga ni Ramirez ang hirap at sakripisyo ng lahat ng mamayang nakibahagi sa nasabing hosting ng bansa, atleta man o mga karaniwang tao na may malaking naiambag sa preparasyon ng nasabing hosting.

“The 30th Southeast Asina Games came not withour a price. For all the people who got involved, it meant lost of sleep and lost time with family. For the athletes, it meant countless hours of painful training,” aniya.

Kasaysayan ang hatid ng tagumpay ng Pinoy sa liderato ni Ramirez sa PSC. Ang educator mula sa Davao City ang siya ring PSC Chairman nang makamit ng bansa ang overall title sa SEA Games noong 2005.

Ayon kay Ramirez, hindi matatawaran ang lahat ng sakripisyo at paghihirap na ipinamalas ng lahat ng taong may kinalaman sa nasabing pagtatanghal, at naniniwala siya na isang magandang istorya ang ililimbag ng nasabing hosting sa kasaysayan ng Philippine sports.

“Having the privilege of being both the PSC Chairman and the Chef de mIssion, I am witness to the many beautiful stories behind this event, and given a glimpse into the legacies that the SEAG will leave,” ayon sa PSC chief.

“The gains from this event does not end when the curtains comes down on the 30th SEAG edition. On top of the victories, there are many long-term advantages---legacies--the SEAG gifted us with,” aniya.

Kaugnay nito ay nagbigay ng taos-puson gpasasalamat si Ramirez sa lahat ng bumubuo ng pagsasagawa ng nasabing hosting, buhat sa pamunuan ng Philippine SEAG Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) at maging sa mga pribadong sektor na nag-ambag ng malaking tulong upang maisakatuparan ang hosting ng nasabing 11-nation meet, gayundin ang buong sambayang Pilipino sa pakikibahagi.

“So as we near the end of thi historice and record-setting SEA Games, we are reminded that success has many faces. While we celebrate the victorious fruits of our athletes’ sacrifces, we also celebrate the gift of character, values, better facilities and friendships given by the organizing committee and its Chairperson Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, our partner in sports---the Philippine Olympic Committee and its President, Cong. Bambol Toentino, the private sector, other government agency and the Filipino people who all came together for this milestone in our nation’s history. Para sa Inang bayan!,” ani Ramirez.