THE success of Filipino women athletes, led by Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, should serve as an inspiration to the whole country.

This was stressed by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann as he paid tribute to all the awardees during the inaugural Women in Sports Awards held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum last Wednesday.

Bachmann cited the vital role of these outstanding women athletes in advancing the agenda for a successful local sports development.

“Your contribution to the country is seen and felt by everybody. The community of champions you have established is what we need in advancing our agenda and platforms for all athletes,” added Bachmann during the colorful ceremony also attended by Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go and other top sports officials.

“To all our awardees, may this be an inspiration in performing your best in every battle in the spirit of dedication and commitment to the sporting community as we all together take steps in achieving a more successful Philippine sport,” added Bachmann, who was appointed by President Marcos as head of the government sports agency last December 2022.

Bachmann also singled out bowling legend and now PSC commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo, for making “the event possible in those feted with the honor that they truly deserve.”

Go, on the other hand lauded both the PSC and the Philippine Council on Women for organizing the event as part of International Women’s Month celebration, and the Filipina athletes.

“Tonight is a testament to the strength, dedication and passion of Filipino women. You have not only excelled in their respective sports but have also contributed to uplifting the spirit and prestige of our nation in both the local and international stage,” said Go, also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports.

“We recognize that the journey of our Filipina athletes is one of relentless perseverance and pain. These qualities not only define their paths to excellence but also inspire us all,” added Go.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, a major advocate of women in sports but could not be present due to prior commitments, awarded Athletes of the Year, tennis player Alex Eala and football forward Sarina Bolden, with an incentive of P100,000 each for their exemplary athletic achievements.

Major awards and citations were also given to outstanding women athletes in various sports, as well as sports executives, coaches, nutritionists, trainers and sports psychologists who have made a difference with their respective contributions.

Diaz-Naranjo, who made history by winning the country’s one and only Olympic gold medal during the Tokyo Summer Games in 2021, was one of recipients of the Flame Award.

Also present during the gala ceremony presented by Milo, CEL Logistics and Wrist Pod were reigning world women’s world 10-ball champion Chezka Centeno, Asian weightlifting silver medalist Vanessa Sarno, and swimming legend Akiko Thomson and Seoul Olympic Games gold medalist Arianne Cerdena, who flew all the way from the United States, to receive her Lifetime Achievement Award.

The awardees were nominated by the national sports associations under the Philippine Olympic Committee and went through a stringent selection process by the five-man judges panel.

Stephen Fernandez of the Philippine Olympians Association, Nikko Huelgas of the POC Athletes Commission, Judith Staples of Masters Athletics, Carlo Sampan of Milo Philippines and Judith Caringal from the sports media comprise the judges panel, which made sure that all awardees are deserving.