PASAY CITY -- Senator and Chair of the Senate Committee on Sports Christopher “Bong” Go expressed his support for Asa Miller who carried the Philippine flag at the opening ceremony of this year’s Winter Olympics on February 4.

Miller will represent the Philippines in the men’s giant slalom on February 13 and slalom on February 16.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Miller is a dual nationality holder as his mother, Polly, is a Filipino from Santa Cruz, Manila while his father, Kelly, is an American. Miller was then introduced to skiing when he was just one and a half years old.

“Bilang isang sports advocate, natutuwa po ako at marami na po sa ating mga Pilipino ang napapansin sa larangan ng sports sa buong mundo. Si Asa Miller po ay isang karangalan ng bansa dahil ang kaniyang tagumpay ay tagumpay na rin ng buong Pilipinas,” Go remarked.

“Ang sports po ay isa sa mga paraan para magkaisa tayo. Kaya naman sa kanyang angking galing, tiwala po ako na magiging matagumpay si Asa na sasabak ngayong Winter Olympics,” he added.

This is the second time Miller has joined the Winter Olympics as he previously made his debut in 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea when he was just 17 years old. He competed in the giant slalom event where he finished in the 70th place out of 110 competitors.

Go then stressed that he is proud of Miller, regardless of the outcome of the competition, saying, “Bilang ang Pilipinas ay isang tropical country, isang malaking karangalan talaga ang mapabilang sa mga bansang magre-representa sa Winter Olympics.”

“Kaya naman, manalo o matalo, saludo pa rin ako sa’yo Asa. Makakaasa ka na kami ni Pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte ay patuloy kang susuportahan sa iyong paglalakbay bilang atleta,” he continued.

A budget of PhP 3.3 million was provided by the Philippine Sports Commission to the Philippine Olympic Committee for preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics. Meanwhile, Senator Go also pushed for a total of PhP 227 million in the 2022 budget for the participation and training of athletes for various international sports competitions to be held this year.

In line with his commitment to provide more opportunities to young and promising Filipino athletes, Go authored and co-sponsored the measure that became Republic Act No. 11470, establishing the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in 2020.

NAS is a government-run educational institution that offers quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports.

With its main campus located at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Capas, Tarlac, NAS officially started its first academic year on September 13, 2021.

“Ngayon na meron nang National Academy of Sports, mabibigyan na ang mga kabataang atleta ng pagkakataon na mag-training at makapag-aral sa isang world-class na pasilidad at eskwelahan,” the senator remarked earlier.

In support of sports development programs to protect the welfare of Filipino athletes, Go also personally attended the signing of the Deed of Donation for the land on which the Philippine Sports Training Center will be built in Bagac, Bataan on May 18 last year. The facility is expected to be completed by 2025. (OSBG)