Press Release
October 6, 2011

Trillanes commends Filipino student athletes

Senator Antonio "Sonny" F. Trillanes IV on Wednesday sponsored Senate Resolution 579 commending the Filipino student athletes who competed in the recently concluded 26th Summer Universiade held in Shenzhen, China.

The Universiade, also known as the World University Games, is an international biennial sports event with 10,603 participants from 151 countries and regions competing in 306 events from 24 different sports.

The Philippines sent a 94-member contingent led by the Federation of School Sports Association (FESSAP), which is the sole local university sports organization recognized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU).

The Philippine delegation competed against well-funded teams in nine various sports, namely swimming, men's basketball, table tennis, taekwondo, badminton, chess, archery, beach volleyball, and athletics from August 12-23, 2011.

"Unhampered by their limited budget and other constraints, our student athletes competed with much enthusiasm and perseverance despite not receiving any official support from the Philippine Sports Commission," Trillanes said.

"Despite this misfortune, our athletes gave a good fight and demonstrated the true meaning of sportsmanship. They displayed the pride of true Filipino athletes. In fact, a 21-year-old student from the Far Eastern University, Samuel Thomas Harper Morrisson, bagged a silver medal in taekwondo," the Senator said in his sponsorship speech.

The Senator has previously slammed the PSC for its failure to provide support for the Philippine delegation to the Summer Universiade and the dragon boat competition in the United States.

"Our young athletes deserve not only our support and attention, but also our recognition of the dedication and sacrifices that they have shown in pursuit of glory and honor for our country. Let us take this opportunity to recognize them with the commendation of this august chamber and make up for the Philippine Sports Commission's lack of financial and moral support for them," Trillanes urged his colleagues in the Senate.

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