SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, has become a key ally in elevating Philippine golf, extending support to both individual athletes and nationwide tournaments in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Over the past two years, Go has championed initiatives to ensure Filipino golfers can compete, excel, and receive the support needed to hone their skills.
In a country where golf is often overshadowed by basketball and boxing, Go has advocated for financial assistance for athletes like Daniella Uy, who has emerged as a formidable force in the sport. Uy recently benefited from funding through the PSC to compete in international tournaments, bolstering the Philippines’ presence in elite competitions.
“Ang paniniwala ko, bawat atleta ay may potensyal na magbigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa. Kaya ginagawa natin ang lahat sa abot ng ating makakaya para suportahan sila,” Go remarked.
The senator’s backing extends to institutional events, including key tournaments that promote golf at all levels. Among these are the Clark Amateur Invitational Golf Tournament, led by Roberto Robes, held from November 28 to December 1 at Mimosa Plus Golf Course in Pampanga, and the Lupax Cup Golf Tournament, organized by Alexander “Lupax” Santos, held last June 10 at Villamor Air Base Golf Course in Pasay City.
Both events have received funding to foster amateur participation and enhance the local golf scene.
Go has also supported other community-centered golf events, including the University of the Philippines Alumni Association President’s Golf Cup with the theme “Pumapalo para sa Bayan” and the Aquila Legis Fraternity’s upcoming golf tournament spearheaded by Gabriel Castro.
“Golf is not just a game of skill but also a reflection of discipline and strategic thinking,” Go said.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, he has also advocated for sports development to mold the younger generation into productive citizens who can contribute to nation-building while steering them away from vices like illegal drugs.
“Sa ating mga kabataan, lagi kong paalala: Mag-sports kayo at iwasan ang ilegal na droga upang manatiling malusog at fit ang ating katawan,” he said.
Go’s approach reflects a broader commitment to making sports an accessible avenue for personal and national development. Beyond golf, he has consistently advocated for increased funding for the PSC to ensure a diverse range of sports receives the attention and resources they deserve. His efforts align with Senate initiatives to strengthen grassroots sports development and enhance the Philippines’ global competitiveness.
In August, Go led a post-evaluation hearing on the outstanding performances, issues, and points for improvement surrounding Filipino athletes’ experiences during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Among the issues raised was the mishandling of uniforms for the national golf team, where Filipino Olympic golfers ended up wearing their own attire with the Philippine flag attached using double-sided tape during their competition.
Go emphasized the importance of proper coordination, teamwork, accountability, and command responsibility among the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), PSC, and national sports associations (NSAs) to ensure national athletes are fully supported. He stressed that athletes should focus solely on their performance, without being distracted by logistical or administrative issues.
“Ayaw nating maulit ito. Kasi nangyari na n’ong Tokyo Olympics. Nangyari na naman sa Paris Olympics. Iba’t ibang aberya. Kaya po tayo nag-hearing ngayon, hindi para magturuan, kundi para hindi po maulit itong mga reklamo at mga aberya. Dahil sabi ko nga, ang atleta natin naka-focus, ‘yan sa paglalaro nila. Wala na dapat isipin ‘yan,” Go stated.
In June, Go collaborated with the PSC to extend additional financial support of PHP 500,000 to each Filipino Olympian to aid their preparations for the Paris Olympics. Similarly, through Go’s partnership with the PSC, the same amount was allocated to each Filipino para-athlete competing in the upcoming 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
As a legislator, Go 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 both sports and academics.
In addition to his efforts with NAS, Go principally sponsored and authored Senate Bill No. 2514, the proposed Philippine National Games (PNG) Act. The Bicameral Conference Committee Report on 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.
“Hinding-hindi ko po sasayangin ang pagkakataong maitaguyod ang ating mga atleta at sports programs. Magtatrabaho po ako para sa ikauunlad ng sports sa ating bansa, lalo na sa larangan ng golf. Iyan po ang aking bisyo—ang magserbisyo para sa Pilipino,” said Go, who is known as Mr. Malasakit for his unwavering dedication to supporting Filipino athletes and promoting national development through sports.
