PBA. SBP. UAAP. PBL. FIBA. NCAA. From the collegiate level to the professional scene, there are several organizations where basketball aspirers can take their shots. Heck, basketball courts are everywhere in the Philippines. Basketball is a beloved sport that has deep roots in our culture and is cherished by many.
Alternatively, there are sports for gamers. DOTA paved the way for other Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) games, such as League of Legends— and its mobile counterpart booming for the past years, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Well-known ML:BB teams representing the Philippines that are making a killing in the growing esports scene, like Blacklist International, SMART OMEGA, TNC Pro Team, and Aurora MLBB.
Whether you’re a passionate basketball fan or an esports enthusiast, they both share three common characteristics: they are group-oriented, well-funded by the government, and extremely popular.
But with the major focus on these sports, we tend to neglect the other side of the spectrum, especially those needing support the most: solo athletes.
Individual Sports is Underrated
Filipinos are not bad at sports, but perhaps we are focusing on what’s uso and neglecting other sports that deserves more attention.
In 2020, female weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz Naranjo made history by winning the first-ever gold medal during the Tokyo Olympics. This marks a shift in focus to lesser-known sports that Filipinos typically don’t follow closely. More recently, gymnast Carlos Yulo won two gold medals in the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, both athletes have spoken about the insufficient support from the government in their journey to success.
Even in the 1v1 fighting esports scene, young Tekken athlete Alexandre “AK” Laverez had to bear the expenses needed to compete internationally in tournaments. In his interview with One News PH, he mentioned that he would have to quit if he didn’t win the Combo Breaker 2024 championship due to the lack of funding and support.
It’s only after claiming their success story they received grand rewards. But in their journey to accomplish this feat, they had to overcome various challenges, such as lacking funding and having limited resources and facilities. This would discourage an ordinary sports aspirant, who could face greater difficulties of not having influence, backing, or the proper environment to hone their skills.
Big Break For Solo Athletes and the Future of Philippines Sports as a Whole
At last, the government has turned its attention to Filipino athletes after their success at the Paris Olympics this year. A new resolution proposed by lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc emphasizes the necessity to boost funding and implement programs to support Philippine sports development moving forward.
“There is an urgent need to address the systemic issues in sports funding and development to ensure that Filipino athletes —national treasures who offer their blood, sweat, and tears — receive adequate support throughout their careers, not just after achieving success,” stated in House Resolution 1877, which was filed in the House of Representatives.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reportedly plans to discuss with Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo how the government can better support athletes in the future.
There’s hope for individual sports in the Philippines. With more support and investment, solo athletes can achieve amazing things on the world stage. It’s time for all of us to get involved, as fans, sponsors, or advocates, to make sure that solo athletes get the attention and resources they need to succeed. Together, we can create a lively sports scene that celebrates both team and individual excellence.
Leave a comment