Filipino athletes who are set to compete in 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics will have an added motivation as they set sail to foreign soil.
The modern-day Philippine heroes will have a courtesy call with none other than President Rodrigo Duterte this Monday at Malacañang before leaving for Brazil on July 23, said the Philippine Sports Commission chairman William 'Butch' Ramirez.
The Rio Olympics is the next major sporting event under the Duterte administration after the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Officials are stepping up to mark the historic occasion as the send-off will be the first time in a long while that the country's Chief Executive will meet the national athletes prior to a competition.
The time of the courtesy call has yet to be determined, owing to the President's busy schedule.
Expected to attend the courtesy call are Kirstie Elaine Alora of taekwondo, Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia of weightlifting, Miguel Tabuena of golf, Marestella Torres-Sunang of athletics, and Ian Lariba of table tennis.
Ramirez said Duterte is supportive of the Filipino athletes.
Duterte personally seen the Gilas Pilipinas' opening game against France in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
"It’s a good indication that the President is really into sports," Ramirez said.
Source: SPIN
Image: List
Share It To Your Friends!
Loading...