It is unsurprising that athletes in other sports do not receive the same level of support and attention in a country where basketball is nearly regarded as a religion. The overwhelming passion for basketball has created a disparity in support and recognition, leaving athletes in less popular sports struggling with inadequate resources and minimal attention.
The current success of Philippine sports is marked by achievements like winning gold, silver and bronze medals, strong performances against top Asian and global powerhouses, and reaching high positions in world rankings. Athletes across various sports are proudly showcasing their dedication and passion, elevating the nation's identity on the international stage.
However, the path to maintaining and exceeding this peak is riddled with challenges, ranging from infrastructure limitations to financial constraints, as well as the ever-changing competitive landscape of sports worldwide. In the face of these hurdles, how far can pride and determination lead our athletes, given the inconsistent support they receive? Their journey illustrates not only their personal dedication, but also the larger desire for excellence in the midst of systemic disparities.
Where the heart lies
It is believed that representing your mother country especially as an athlete is the highest form of pride and honor. For most, or if not all athletes, donning their nation’s colors at a global stage is the ultimate expression of dedication and love for their homeland. The blue, red, yellow, and white of the Philippine flag defines the nation’s identity. These colors symbolize more than just national pride, they represent the weight of an entire country's hopes and dreams carried by its athletes.
In recent years, we’ve seen a number of athletes representing the Philippines at various global sporting events. However, despite the glory and success they achieve and bring back to the country, many of these athletes still face significant challenges and hurdles, primarily due to the lack of support and resources they receive. Support often comes only when they start winning or achieve something remarkable. Take for example the cases of Filipino athletes participating in less popular sports such as weightlifting, gymnastics, and athletics.
Balancing the scales
If sports had an Oscar-like event, the Olympics would be it. The Olympics, regarded by athletes all over the world as the grandest stage of all, is the pinnacle of sports competitions. Athletes prepare and compete for years to reach this stage, hoping to bring home Olympic medals and honor for their country.
With almost 200 countries competing, the Philippines is well represented in the summer games, sending a delegation of athletes since 1924. In a span of 100 years, the country has collected a total of 18 medals, consisting of three golds, five silvers, and 10 bronze medals, divided across several sports, and curiously, basketball is not among them.
Basketball is perhaps the sport that defines the Filipinos. It is a game that is played in all shapes and conditions, whether on hardwood or concrete floors in the streets; as long as a ball and a hoop are accessible, the love for the game endures. Our national basketball team, popularly known as the Gilas Pilipinas, has enjoyed a fair share of success on the global stage, as seen by the country's dominance in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, winning 19 gold medals in the last 22 tournaments. Furthermore, in 2023, the country won its first Asian Games men's basketball gold medal since 1962. More recently, Gilas Pilipinas, who was ranked 37 in the world, took down Latvia, the world’s sixth-ranked team, in the 2024 Olympic qualifying tournament, which saw the national team reach the semi-finals, a first in team history.
While basketball continues to shine and gain remarkable recognition, athletes in other sports also achieve notable success, yet they often receive neither the same treatment nor support as their basketball counterparts. Take for example, the case of weightlifting queen, Hidilyn Diaz. During her build up for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Diaz publicly shared her disappointment regarding the lack of support the government has given her throughout her preparations for the summer games. Diaz even pleaded for help from private sectors just to allow her to train and prepare more effectively and efficiently.
Another instance is pole vaulter EJ Obiena, who was ranked as the world-second in the 2023 World Athletics Rankings. However, before he achieved that remarkable feat, Obiena was charged with embezzlement by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), after accusations of misappropriation of funds. Although, this dispute hasn’t hindered him to compete and bring glory to the country as he soared to greater heights, after defending his gold medal in the 31st SEA Games, and claiming a bronze medal in the World Athletics Championships, becoming the first-ever Filipino to clinch a medal in the tournament. Obiena also improved his Olympic outing placing 4th in the Paris Olympics, after an 11th place finish in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Moreover, gymnast Carlos Yulo has made headlines in the international gymnastics community with his incredible achievements. Yulo won gold at the 2019 World Gymnastics Championships, marking a historic first for the Philippines. He also secured a number of gold medals in the 2021 Asian Artistic Gymnastics Championships, 2022 World Gymnastics Championships, and the 2023 SEA Games. Despite his achievements, Yulo has been vocal about his experiences and challenges, including the lack of a proper training facility in the country, limited support, and insufficient financial assistance from the government.
These examples represent only a fraction of the numerous athletes throughout the country who continually underscore the systemic lack of support and recognition afforded to them.
The reality
A common misconception in the landscape of sports in the country is that sports like basketball and volleyball are the most funded sports. While this is undeniably true, what people fail to realize is that support for the national teams representing these sports mostly comes from private sectors. Our basketball teams—whether women’s, men’s, or 3x3—are funded primarily by private sectors, specifically by the telecommunications giant PLDT and its group of companies, alongside San Miguel Corporation.
Business tycoons in the country believe that funding athletes in certain sports will result in increased revenue through the following and popularity of those athletes. However, the support from these private sectors does not only extend to basketball and volleyball. In fact, Manny V. Pangilinan, commonly known as MVP, the chairperson of PLDT, Smart Communications, Inc., and the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF), has ramped up their support for Filipino athletes by recently unveiling a world-class training facility for gymnasts. Located in the heart of Intramuros in Manila, the MVPSF Gymnastics Center is equipped to train national athletes in artistic, aerobic, and trampoline gymnastics.
The success of Yulo, who secured two gold medals at the recently concluded 2024 Paris Olympics, highlights the impact of such dedicated support. His achievements demonstrate how essential proper funding and state-of-the-art training facilities are for athletes reaching their full potential.
In addition to gymnastics, MVPSF has also played a crucial role in supporting Filipino boxers. The foundation provided significant assistance to athletes like Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Hergie Bacyadan, and Aira Villegas. Their preparations for the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics rooted greatly from MVPSF’s financial support and access to top-tier training facilities.
The comprehensive type of support from MVPSF has truly been contributory to the victories of Filipino athletes on a global scale, which speaks of a very profound influence on the foundation in taking giant steps in the advancement of various sports. This backing has also highlighted the potential of athletes and sports that often receive less attention, spotlighting how extensive support can enhance both performance and visibility in the broader landscape of sports.
In contrast, while government support for sports is essential, it often faces challenges related to consistency and extent. Limited budgets and political fluctuations can lead to uneven resource allocations. Although there are programs and initiatives aimed at developing sports and supporting athletes, these resources sometimes fall short of meeting the demands of all sports equally.
Addressing the gaps
While private-sector initiatives and programs are tremendously beneficial in improving the quality of talent produced in the country, they can only do so much. The assistance they provide highlights a far larger issue, primarily the inadequate support our athletes receive from our government and national athletic organizations. Government funding should complement private sector investments in order to maximize opportunity in more sports other than basketball and volleyball. Steps forward include addressing the gaps that the private sector cannot cover, as well as helping lesser-known sports by providing fundamental and world class infrastructures and sufficient financial resources to fully realize their potential and greatest qualities.
Our Olympians' victories represent their incredible talent and determination, but they also highlight the institutional barriers that can hinder the growth and success of athletes in less recognized sports. Whether it's gymnastics, weightlifting, athletics, boxing, or golf, our athletes all have the same goal: to represent the Philippines at the highest level possible and return home with glory and success.
True national pride is not only about celebrating successes but also a dedication to fairly supporting all athletes who aspire to bring honor to the country.
The support we provide should be as loud as the celebrations we hold.
