Go urges youth to get into sports

Manila, September 11, 2018 -- Special Assistant to the President (SAP) ‘Bong’ Go today encouraged the youth to participate in sports, saying it teaches valuable lessons that can lead them and the country to prosperity.

“Sports instills discipline, builds characters, and fosters camaraderie among individuals from different backgrounds. It also teaches one to excel to work hard in order to overcome all challenges and achieve success,” Go said in a speech at the opening of the 18th season of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU)’s basketball tournament.

Go said sports can also be the key for the youth to bring glory and honor to the country. “These are characteristics that we need in order to build a strong and prosperous nation,” he said.

Go added that he will be conducting a three-point shoot-out in NAASCU during its semi-finals. The three-point program is part of Go’s programs to save the youth from using illegal drugs.

“In line of my 3-point program ng basketball, magpapa-3-point shoot out po ako dito sa semi-finals. Sabi ko lahat kasama. Kung ano pa equipment na kailangan ng eskwelahan nila para makatulong po sa mga athletes po ay willing po tumulong ang gobyerno,” Go said.

(In line of my 3-point program in basketball, I’ll be conducting a 3-point shoot-out during the semi-finals. Everyone can join. Whatever kind of equipment the schools need, in order to help the athletes, the government is willing to help.)

He also said sports can save the youth from the consequences of illegal drugs, which is a focus of the Duterte administration.

“It provides an outlet for the youth to spend their free time and relieve boredom, keeping them away from destructive vices, crime, and illegal drugs. Ang programa talaga ng gobyerno ni Pangulong Duterte ay ilayo sila sa droga (The program of the Duterte administration is to steer them away from drugs), so we encourage this type of tournament po.” he said.

Go lauded the NAASCU for believing in the potential of future athletes who can be champions of the masses.

“Tinawag ko kanina ng ‘Liga ng Masa.’ Ito ‘yung mga iba’-ibang iskwelahan na hindi po nakasali sa UAAPat sa NCAA at nakakatuwa 16 teams po ang sumali at lumalakas po. Ito po ‘yung isa sa mga training ground o pagkukunan ng mga future athletes natin,” he said

(I call this the ‘Basketball League for the Masses.’ It is composed of various schools that are not able to participate in the UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines) and NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). I am happy that 16 teams have joined and the league is getting stronger. This is one of the training grounds which I believe could be the source of our future athletes.)

Go said he and President Duterte have faith in the abilities of the youth.

“Alam ninyo, malaki ang paniniwala namin ni Pangulong Duterte sa kakayahan ninyong mga kabataan. Mayroon kayong angking talino at diskarte para paangatin ang inyong mga sarili at dalhin ang ating bayan tungo sa isang payapa, masagana at maunlad na bukas,” he said.

(President Duterte and I have the utmost trust in the ability of our youth. You have innate intelligence and the perseverance to lift yourselves from poverty and lead our country to a more peaceful and prosperous future.)