PSC chairman Pato Gregorio reaffirmed his push for consistent international hosting, stressing that long-term success starts by giving young Filipino athletes early opportunities to compete.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio is doubling down on his vision of widening opportunities for Filipino athletes, emphasizing that true progress begins long before the medals are won.
Speaking about the country’s growing sports landscape, Gregorio reiterated that sustained support, early exposure, and continuous hosting of international events are key to building future champions.
“From grassroots to gold, from gold to greatness,” Gregorio said. “If we can develop a lot, palaki nang palaki ang delegation ng Pilipinas, then we’ll just continue winning. We just have to believe that we can do it.”
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Gregorio made the statement on Wednesday, during the press conference and media welcome reception for the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships, which will start on November 20.
He highlighted that success does not rely solely on talent, but also on the commitment shown by institutions surrounding young athletes, including the PSC, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and the national government.
“If they see the support of government, if they see the support of the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Philippine Sports Commission, they'll say, ‘Okay, all out na,’” he added.
Why exposure matters
Amid questions about the size of the Philippine delegation to international meets, Gregorio stressed that experience is invaluable, especially for young athletes still finding their footing on the global stage.
“Sinasabi ng iba bakit ang lalaki ng delegations, 'di lahat magme-medal. But let us try to understand. The SEA Games is the very first international event na pwedeng salihan ng atleta natin,” he explained.
“If we don’t give them a chance, kailan sila lalaban? Sa Asian Games? Olympics? Hindi na sila mag-Asian Games, 'di na sila mag-Olympics.”
Gregorio said the goal isn’t just to collect medals, but to expand participation and prepare athletes for bigger tournaments long-term.
“Hindi lang gintong medalya ang bilangan dito. It’s gaano karami ang exposure na binibigay natin sa mga batang atleta natin.”
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PSC continues building upward momentum
Since assuming his post in July, Gregorio has overseen major international sporting events hosted in the Philippines.
Among his early successes was the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship held in September.
This week, the Philippines will host two more world-level competitions simultaneously, namely the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup and the 3rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships.
For Gregorio, hosting these tournaments represents more than prestige — it is an investment in the next generation of Filipino champions.
“We have to keep giving our athletes chances,” he said. “Because greatness doesn’t start on the podium. It starts the moment we believe in them.”
The competition is available on livestream via the Pilipinas Live app.
(With reports from Vlon Bandivas/One Sports Digital)
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.