BONG GO FILES RESOLUTION LAUDING DOJO GARAGE DEFTAC GREENHILLS FOR MEDALS AT 2024 SJJIF WORLD JIU-JITSU CHAMPIONSHIPS IN JAPAN

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, filed and sponsored Senate Reslution No. 1241, commending and congratulating the Dojo Garage Deftac Greenhills Team for their stellar performance at the 2024 Sports Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF) World Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Nagoya, Japan. The resolution was entered into the official Senate records on Tuesday, December 3.

Acknowledging their exemplary achievements, Go emphasized the importance of sports in fostering discipline, teamwork, and excellence among Filipinos.

“We are mandated by the Constitution to promote physical education and encourage sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy and alert citizenry,” Go stated.

Highlighting the team’s accomplishments, Go praised the athletes, aged four to 13, for their remarkable performance.

“As Chairperson of the Committee on Sports, I want to highlight our recent achievements in sports and give recognition to the Dojo Garage Little Raptors Jiu-Jitsu Team who competed at the 2024 Sports Jiu-Jitsu International Federation,” he said.

The team brought home an impressive total of 22 medals: 11 gold, seven silver, and four bronze, and secured the title of 2nd Best Overall Kids Team in the world.

“These young athletes not only showcased their skill and talent but also highlighted their potential to become a formidable force in the years to come,” Go noted.

The senator also took time to reflect on a personal interaction with the team and their families. “I had the opportunity to meet them and their parents last week. Kahanga-hanga po na sa kanilang murang edad, nahahasa na ang kanilang talento sa sports at nakakapagbigay na ng karangalan sa bansa,” he said.

He concluded by urging continued support for Filipino athletes who bring pride to the nation. “Tunay na kahanga-hanga ang pagpupursige ng ating mga Pilipinong atleta, kaya naman nararapat lamang po na sila ay patuloy nating suportahan at tularan. Again, congratulations to the Dojo (dow-jow) Garage Deftac Greenhills Team.”

Go is an advocate for national sports development. He played a key role in creating the National Academy of Sports (NAS) by authoring and co-sponsoring Republic Act No. 11470. Located in New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac, NAS combines secondary education with a sports-focused curriculum, offering a dual path for student-athletes to excel in their sports and academic endeavors.

In addition to his efforts with NAS, Go principally sponsored and is one of the authors of Senate Bill No. 2514, the proposed Philippine National Games (PNG) Act. The Bicameral Conference Committee Report of this bill was ratified by the Senate on September 23. It seeks to institutionalize a structured national sports program that not only promotes grassroots sports but also provides opportunities for aspiring athletes to compete on the national level.

As the sponsor of the sports budget in the Senate, Go has been instrumental in securing support for the country’s sports development. He advocated for the repair and improvement of key sports facilities, such as the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila and Philsports Arena in Pasig City, believing that providing athletes with proper training environments, equipment, nutrition, and mental support is essential for their success.

Go has also continuously pushed for an increased budget for sports programs to significantly improve Filipino athletes’ preparation, training, and competitive performance on the international stage while launching effective programs to cultivate the talents of young and aspiring sports enthusiasts at the grassroots level.

As Chairperson of the Senate Youth Committee, Go continues to urge government to prioritize sports engagement among citizens, not only for elite athletes but also for aspiring youth athletes, especially at the grassroots.

“As I always remind our youth, get into sports, stay away from illegal drugs to keep us healthy and fit!” he said earlier.