PINAY ATHLETES PAPAGITNA SA ALL WOMEN IN SPORTS AWARDS

BIBIGYANG-PUGAY ang  outstanding women athletic performers sa katatapos na taon sa inaugural Women in Sports Awards sa March 20 sa makasaysayang Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Mahigit  50 major awardees, kapwa individual at teams, sa iba’t ibang disciplines ang pararangalan sa unang pagkakataon sa gala event na magkatuwang na iorganisa ng Philippine Commission for Women at Philippine Sports Commission kaalinsabay ng selebrasyon ng International Women’s Month.

“This is our way of paying homage to our national women athletes who did their flag and country proud in 2023. They are shining examples of what women’s empowerment is all about,” sabi ni  PSC Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo.

“They are our models of pushing the envelope of gender equality, which is a major thrust of the Philippine Commission for Women,” dagdag ni Coo, dating bowling great.

Kabilang sa major awardees na kikilalanin sa event na suportado ng Wrist POD, CEL Logistics at Milo sina Women’s Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Jack Aminam, Asian 400-meter hurdles queen Robyn Brown, boxer at Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio at women’s world 10-ball champion Chezka Centeno.

Kabilang din sa roster sinsPhilippine Southeast Games double gold medalist at golfer Bianca Pagdanganan, Olympic-bound gymnast Aleah Finnegan, top fencer Samantha Catantan, Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna at premier figure skater Isabella Gamez.

Pararangalan din sina Atty. Cheyzer Mendoza, ang most bemedalled female chess player kapwa sa Cambodia ASEAN Para Games at 4th Hangzhou Asian Para Games, at wheelchair dancer Edelyn de Asis, na nagwagi ng pares ng ginto kasama si Julius Jun Obero sa Para Dance World Championships.

“We will also award citations to other athletes who have made an impact in their respective sports,” sabi pa ni Coo.

Ang 1st Women in Sports Awards ay isang naaangkop na parangal hindi lamang sa mga atleta kundi pati sa mga nag-ambag sa kanilang tagumpay tulad ng kanilang coaches, nutritionists, at sports psychologists.

“The success of our national athletes requires a strong support group,  which includes their coaches, nutritionists, and sports psychologists so that they can be at their best and excel in international play. We will recognize their efforts behind the scenes on this occasion,” pagbibigay-diin ng PSC commissioner.

CLYDE MARIANO