SPECIAL Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher "Bong" Go inspired the 14-member Pilipinas Sambo team that will mark its debut in the 1st Southeast Asia (SEA) Sambo Championship, a test event for the 2018 Asian Games, slated April 11 and 12 at the Lagoon Hotel Sultan, Senayan, Jakarta.
Go, in his message via Sun.Star Davao columnist Rudolph Alama's Facebook video, wished the Filipino athletes the best in their Indonesia stint, saying: "To the athletes of Pilipinas Sambo, we wish you all the best and go for the win. Ang laban nyo ay laban ng buong bayan. We are proud of you and mabuhay ang atleta ng Pilipinas Sambo."
The message, according to Pilipinas Sambo Secretary-General Paolo Tancontian, motivated the athletes to go for gold.
Chino Tancontian will also be joined in the team by Asian Games wushu gold medalist and One FC MMA fighter Rene Catalan who will be joined by co-MMA star Ruel Catalan, Jomary Torres, Roni Marielle Santiago, Rhodesa Mae Bayas, Ariane Fantilanan, Roque Manaay, Jefferson Salcedo, Czar Bayas, Ace Larida, Reydemtor Nacionales, Carls John De Tomas and Patrick Manicad.
"Sana maka gold talaga kami," said the secretary-general as they seek recognition from the Philippine Olympic Committee.
FIAS-International Sambo Federation Inc. president Vasily Shestakov, Sambo Union of Asia president Allamjon Mullaev and director general Suresh Gopi are supporting the team. Paolo thanked the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez through Commissioner Charles Maxey for giving the team endorsement for the travel tax exemption of Philippine delegation.
The Indonesia-bound team will be led by Tancontian, Pilipinas Sambo president Paolo Claudio and technical delegate Sydney Tancontian.