Following his recent trip to the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go voiced his strong backing for plans to bring the prestige of the continental sporting event back to Philippine shores, highlighting its potential to elevate local tourism and stimulate economic growth.
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Sports, warmly received the announcement from Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino regarding a prospective bid for the Philippines to act as host nation. The POC is currently eyeing a target bid for the 2038 Asian Games. Should the effort prove successful, it would mark the first time the country has hosted the Games since the Manila edition in 1954.
“Importante po ’yon, yung magandang relasyon sa ibang bansa lalung-lalo na po nabanggit na po ni President Bambol Tolentino na plano niya pong mag-bid na mag-host sa ating bansa. Maganda naman po ’yun,” Go said.
Drawing from previous international events staged in the country, including the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Go emphasized that well-managed sports hosting brings substantial benefits beyond athletics. The country is also scheduled to host the SEA Games once more in 2033.
“Nakita naman natin kapag maganda ang hosting katulad noong FIBA World noong 2023, pag maganda yung hosting makikinabang po ang ating mga kababayan lalung-lalo na sa ating turismo dahil mapu-promote po natin ang ating bansa,” Go explained. He added, “Importante po itong sports, i-connect mo with tourism. Kapag may tourism, may turista, mas maraming income rin po para sa ating mga kababayan dahil mas ma-promote natin ang ganda ng ating bayan.”
Go believes that opening the doors to international sports delegations and spectators creates a long-term ripple effect for foreign investment and regional travel.
“Maganda po ang Pilipinas, dapat po ma-promote pa po ang Pilipinas. So kapag nag-compete ang iba’t ibang team sa ating bansa, nakaka-host tayo nang maayos ay mas marami tayong maeengganyo na investors at turista na bumisita po sa ating napakagandang bayan,” he remarked.
The senator visited Japan to cheer on Team Philippines at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, an event featuring participants from 45 countries and regions across 43 sporting disciplines. Reflecting on his interaction with the national delegation, Go underscored the vital role of sustained government and institutional backing for athletes.
“Alam n’yo, nakakatuwa. Isang malaking karangalan na makasama po ang ating mga athletes na malapitan, mapapanood mo sila, makapag-cheer ka sa kanila,” Go shared. “Ang sarap ng pakiramdam, hawak-hawak mo yung bandila ng Pilipinas.”
He commended the Philippine Sports Commission, the POC, and various National Sports Associations for their efforts while advising sports administrators to prioritize athlete welfare above all else.
“Alagaan n’yo po ang ating mga atleta dahil sila po ang ating mga pinagmamalaki, ipinaglalaban, at sila po ang may dala ng ating bandila,” he stressed, emphasizing that public and private sector collaboration remains crucial. “Kapag nagtulungan ang private sector at ang public sector, malayo po ang mararating. Magtulungan po dapat ’yan.”
As the POC maps out its long-term strategy for an Asian Games return, Go reiterated that international sporting showcases serve as dual-purpose platforms, fueling the ambitions of Filipino athletes while inviting the rest of Asia to discover the country.
“Mas ma-promote natin ang ganda ng ating bayan,” he said.