MULING nag-uwi ng karangalan sa bansa si 30th Southeast Asian Games gold medalist at surfing star Roger Casugay sa paggagawad sa kanya ng Pierre de Coubertin Act of Fair Play Award ng Comité International du Fair-Play (International Fair Play Committee).
Si Casugay ang unang Pinoy na gagawaran ng prestihiyosong award na ipinangalan sa ama ng international Olympic movement.
Ikinatuwa ni Philippine Sports Commission Chairman at 30th SEAG Chef de Mission William Ramirez ang pagkilalang ito sa kabayanihan at kabutihan ni Casugay na hinayaang mawala ang kanyang tsansa para sa ginto upang sagipin ang isa niyang surfing competitor mula Indonesia.
“We are very proud of Roger because he has truly exemplified the true meaning of being a Filipino and a sportsman,” sabi ni Ramirez.
Ipinagbigay-alam ng International Surfing Association (ISA) sa pamamagitan ni Membership and Development Manager Alex Reynolds, sa United Philippine Surfing Association ang paggagawad kay Casugay ng isa sa pinakaprestihiyosong awards sa larangan ng palakasan.
Nakuha ng 26-year old na si Casugay, tubong San Fernando, La Union, ang paghanga at papuri ng SEAG visitors at local sports fans at enthusiasts dahil sa kanyang ginawa.
“Above all, it is a more fulfilling achievement to be recognized for character than skills and achievements. It shows who we are as people and as a nation,” dagdag ni Ramirez.
Sinusugan ni UPSA President Dr. Jose Raul Canlas ang komento ng sports chief at sinabing, “It is nice to recognize an athlete not only for his athletic skills but also for his humanity. Holding surfing during the Southeast Asian Games is a milestone event. It paved the way for the ISA to recognize the region and allowed Roger to be also recognized.”
Opisyal na igagawad kay Casugay ang award, na unang ipinagkaloob noong 1965 at ang past recipients ay mga magigiting at kilalang humanitarian figures, kabilang sina Sergey Bubka (athletics), László Papp (boxing) at Miguel Indurain (cycling) sa October 27. Inaasahang lilipad siya sa Monaco upang personal na tanggapin ang award, kung itutulot ng pagkakataon. Maaari rin niyang tanggapin ang award ‘virtually’.
Si Casugay ang flag bearer ng host Philippines at recipient ng “Fair Play” award sa closing ceremonies na idinaos sa New Clark City sa Capas, Tarlac noong nakaraang Disyembre. CLYDE MARIANO
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