POC at PSC palalawakin ang suporta sa Curling sa Winter Sports

Pagkatapos makapag-uwi ng kauna-unahan at makasaysayang pagkakapanalo ng gintong medalya sa katatapos na 2025 Harbin Winter Olympics sa China, plano ngayon ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) na lalo pang palakasin ang Curling sports sa bansa. 

Ayon kay POC Chairman, Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino nais nilang makakuha na ng suporta mula sa pamahalaan at sa mga pribadong sektor para mas lalo pang mapalawak ang naturang sports sa bansa. 

“After this success, they were noticed. The future is bright for this sport and we will work on that. This sends a message that Filipinos can excel in any sport and in anywhere,” ani Tolentino. 

Ganito rin ang gustong mangyari ni Philippine Sports Commission president Richard Bachmann.

“The Philippine Sports Commission remains committed to expand the necessary support for winter sports and provide appropriate programs that will be delivered within the grassroots level to sustain the achievement we attained and the growing dynamics of our local sports scene, making us equipped for greater challenges ahead,” sabi ni Bachmann.

Bukod pa riyan, panahon na rin aniya para magsilbing ‘eye opener’ ang sports na ito sa lahat, na hindi lang mahusay ang mga Pilipino sa larong basketball at volleyball, kundi sa iba pang uri ng mga sports gaya ng Curling. 

“We're very happy. It's an eye-opener to everyone to realize that the Filipino athletes are not only good in basketball and volleyball, but also other sports,” dagdag pa ni Bachmann. 

Samantala, nais naman ni Curling Pilipinas president Benjo Delarmente na maiparating sa maraming Pilipino ang larong Curling sa bansa kahit pa ang Pilipinas ay isang tropical country. 

“We will be organizing a learn to curl sort of trip or event. We are in talks with the Korean Curling Federation. We've also contacted the Japanese Curling Association. We'll rent ice, okay, so curling Pilipinas will pay for the ice time. We will pay for the interpreters and if needed, we will pay for the instructors,” ani Delarmente. 

Sunod na paghahandaan ng Curling Pilipinas ang Olympic Pre-Qualifier sa Oktubre para sa 2026 Winter Olympics sa Milano Cortina, Italy.