2023 will be a super busy year for Philippine sports. From the Filipinas making history in the FIFA Women's World Cup, to the redemption tour of Gilas Pilipinas in the Southeast Asian Games, the calendar is full.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino bared on Noli Eala's "Power & Play" how crucial 2023 will be for the Philippines in terms of international competitions.
"2023 talagang marami. Standing natin, kung papanong masu-sustain at tsaka mapapaganda pa," Tolentino said about the upcoming SEA Games campaign in Cambodia.
The biennial meet will be followed by the World Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia.
"Mabigat din 'yun kasi kapag hindi ka nag-qualify, wala ka rin doon. Qualifying din 'yon, ranking din," Tolentino said.
Then, there's the matter of repeating the four-gold performance in the Asian Games. The Philippines won't have three of the four top finishers. Yuka Saso, the gold winner in both the individual and women's team category in golf already changed her citizenship to Japanese. Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz has already begged off from the SEA Games and has yet to confirm if she will target a title-defense in the Asian Games.
"So paano natin masu-sustain yung four golds, wala na sina Yuka [Saso], wala na 'yung dalawang golfer. Sa skateboard, si Margielyn [Didal] tinalo siya sa Japan, Japan is also in Asian Games. That is also a big question," said Tolentino.
Crucial 2023 Paris Olympics qualifiers will follow the Asian Games too.
"After the Asian Games, the [Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games], sa Thailand. Before the AIMAG, mayroon pang Saudi Combat Sports. Lahat 'yon, very critical, in earning points for Paris Olympics. Ang bigat this year sa international competitions," noted Tolentino.