JUST when everything is downcast and gloomy, especially in sports, here comes our brave pugilists holding their ground against world-beater boxers and earn hard-earned victories in the process.
First on the list is veteran Donnie "Ahas" Nietes and supported by young yet aspiring world titlist Jerwin Ancajas, who has campaigned in the United States where offers are plenty and prizes are very attractive to shy away from, and Mark Magsayo, another good boxer who's making a name for himself in world rankings.
If there is a field where we can excel where height is not a major requirement, it is in boxing. So, it is in this field where we must devote our funds and resources to train pugilists who could be world titlists. Agree?
Also, we excel in chess and we have bright prospects for world rankings. There is also no height requirement here either, only brain power which we inherently possess.
Now that the Tokyo Olympics beckons, we should be ready with our athletes-participants. In pole vault, we rely on EJ Obiena who is training overseas where there is plenty of world-class competitors.
But before we embark on our medal quest in the Tokyo Olympics, we need to attend the Southeast Asian games where our Team Philippines will defend the overall title.
The chief of mission, the legendary basketball icon, Ramon Fernandez, sounded out calls for funding assistance even to local government units to bankroll the expenses of our teams in preparation for the coming Southeast Asian games.
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Speaking of Tokyo Olympics, we have bright prospects for a medal in the persons of our boxers-Olympians Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlos Paalam.
Ed Picson, the secretary general of the country's boxing federation, described them as: they are all in good spirits and are preparing hard for the Olympics.
We cheer our athletes when they bring home medals but now is the time to cheer them up as they prepare in their quest for medals, not necessarily gold, but medals nevertheless.
Let us not forget medalists Carlos Yulo and Hidilyn Diaz, both bright prospects for gold medals in the Tokyo Olympics as well as our gymnasts and skaters like Martinez. They deserve our unflinching support and encouragement.
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Fare the well, Francis Foronda, 58, who died several days ago due to cardiac arrest induced by Covid-19. Francis was the visionary researcher of the City Planning and Development Office, headed by Rosan S. Paquia, EnP, who is also the officer-in-charge of the City Agriculture office.