Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan hailed Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala’s win in the recently concluded Mubadala DC Open Final, marking her first-ever hardcourt final win and her first WTA 500 final appearance.
In his congratulatory message, the senator said that Eala’s win must serve as an inspiration for the Filipino youth and highlighted the positive impact of sports in the lives of many young children.
“Lubos nating pinagmamalaki ang kahanga-hangang panalo ni Alex sa Mubadala DC Open Final. Nagpapasalamat tayo sa pagtatayo nya ng bandera ng Pilipinas sa international stage. Dahil kay Alex, unti-unting nakikilala ang Pilipinas sa mundo ng tennis,” he said.
“Pero higit sa lahat, sinasalamin ng pagkapanalong ito ang pangangailangan ng gobyernong tutukan ang sports sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagpapalakas sa grassroots level ng suporta, pagbuo ng modernong pasilidad, at suporta sa mga atletang Pilipino katulad ni Alex,” he added.
Pangilinan, who himself was a varsity athlete of the University of the Philippines’ men’s volleyball team, called on government support for school sports programs, community clinics, early childhood introductions, and specialized sports academies in the grassroots level.
He also urges for sports vouchers, scholarships, grants, and funding, as well as facility upgrades, subsidized trainings for coaches, and equipment standardization.
Furthermore, Pangilinan underscored the importance of supporting athlete welfare through granting developing athletes access to sports science, mental health programs, and national talent scouting.
The senator likewise said that the government must start bidding to host youth-centered international sports events to give young athletes exposure to elite global sporting standards.
During Monday’s (Manila time) Mubadala DC Open Final between Eala and top seed Jessica Pegula, the Filipina won 6-4, 4-6, 0-6 evenafter the game was canceled in the middle of the second set due to the rain.
Eala came in strong when the game resumed on Tuesday midnight (Manila time), clinching the second and third sets at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C.
“Love may mean nothing to a tennis player. We, her kababayans, draw everything from her matches: anticipation, excitement, patriotic pride, and puyat that’s worth every minute of it,” Pangilinan said.