ni Annie Abad
NANANATILI ang taekwondo na isa sa sports na may pinakamalaking pag-asa ang Pinoy na masungkit ang pinakamimithing Olympic gold medal.
At sa walang humpay na programa, higit sa grassroots sports development kasangga ang MILO at iba pang stakeholders, kumpiyansa si Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA) grassroots development head Stephen Fernandez na makakamit ng taekwondo ang mailap na karangalan sa sambayanan.
“Hindi tayo nagkukulang sa programa, tuloy-tuloy po tayo at hindi tayo nawawalan ng talento na talagang world-class. With strong foundation and effective program, I take pride to say that we have a strong chances to win the Olympic gold in taekwondo,” pahayag ng 1992 Barcelona Olympics taekwondo bronze medalist (demonstration sports) sa kanyang pagbisita sa ‘Usapang Sports on Air’ ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) via Zoom nitong Huwebes.
“Kung maibabalik ko lang, Milo, they never stop promoting sports, malaking bagay ang partnership program nila sa PTA habang hindi pa tayo nakakabalik sa face-to-face platform, so we have to make adjustment sa digital program na ganito. Mae-engganyo pa rin ang mga kabataan na pumasok sa sports thru digital. I have a very good feeling na magku-qualify tayo sa Olympics, despite the trying times, I’m hoping for the best, with the help of Milo, POC at PSC we will make it to the Olympics,” aniya.
Para kay Pauline Lopez, ang 2019 SEA Games gold medalist at isa sa limang Pinoy na inaasahang sasabak sa Olympic qualifying, walang humpay ang kanilang pagsasanay sa ‘bubble training’ sa Laguna para maihanda ang mga sarili sa paglahok sa Olympic qualifying tournament sa Jordan sa susunod na buwan.
“We trained three times a day. We’re hoping for the best,” sambit ni Lopez sa sports forum na itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), PAGCOR, at Games and Amusements Board (GAB).
“The MILO program, bringing back the motivation on me, despite of pandemic, inspires me to what I am doing and sharing it with young kids. I am thankful for all the support of Milo program, as we continue to train as well as on May going to Jordan, hoping to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics,” ayon sa Ateneo jin star.