PINASALAMATAN ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino si Yuka Saso sa pagkatawan sa bansa sa major global competitions.
Ayon kay Tolentino, sa kabila ng desisyon ni Saso na piliin ang Japanese citizenship ay naniniwala siyang “she remains a Filipino by heart.”
“Still, she was born here in the Philippines so by heart she represents both,” ani Tolentino isang araw makaraang ihayag ni Saso sa Japanese media na pipiliin niya ang nationality ng kanyang ama pagsapit niya ng 22-anyos sa 2023.
“I would like to thank her personally for representing our country for the past years,,” ani Tolentino. “Her personal business decision will her develop more as a person and athlete … carrying a Japanese passport for every international tournament helps a lot, imagine no visa needed.”
Dagdag pa ni Tolentino: “Health care and social benefits, too, plus the big sponsorships from Japan.”
Inanunsiyo ng reigning US Women’s Open champion noong Miyerkoles ang kanyang desisyon na piliin ang Japanese citizenship pagsapit niya ng 22-anyos sa June 20, 2023.
Pinapayagan ng Japanese laws ang mga mamamayan nito na may dual citizenship na piliin ang kanilang nationality pagsapit nila ng 22.
Ang ama ni Saso ay isang Japanese habang ang kanyang ina ay isang Pinay mula sa San Ildefonso, Bulacan.
“I chose Japan because of its nationality law,” wika ni Saso sa Japanese media. “I have in my heart that I am both Japanese and Filipino no matter which one I choose.”
“I am full of gratitude for being able to play in Japan again,” sabi pa ni Saso, isang two-time winner sa Japan Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour.
Si Saso ay nanalo ng individual at team gold medals sa Jakarta 2018 Asian Games at kinatawan ang Pilipinas sa Tokyo Olympics, kasama sina Bianca Pagdanganan at Juvic Pagunsan.
