ANG tagumpay ng mga Filipino women athletes, tulad ni Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, ay magsisilbing inspirasyon sa mga kababaihang Pilipina.

Ito ang tinuran ni Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann sa kanyang pagbibigay pugay sa lahat ng awardees sa kauna-unahang Women in Sports Awards sa Rizal Memorial Coliseum kamakailan

Tinukoy ni Bachmann ang mahalagang papel ng mga natatanging female athletes sa pagsusulong ng makabuluhang programa sa Philippine sports.

“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,”pagdidiin ni Bachmann sa colorful ceremony na dinaluhan din ni Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go at ibang mataas na 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,” dagdag pa Bachmann, na itinalaga ni President Marcos bilang head ng nasabing government sports agency nung December 2022.

Pinuri din ni Bachmann si bowling legend at ngayon ay PSC commissioner na si Olivia “Bong” Coo, sa kanyang mga pagsusumikap na bigyan ng kaukulang pagkilala ang mga tulad niyang magagaling na female athletes.

Samantala, pinasalamatan ni Go ang PSC at Philippine Council on Women sa pagtataguyod ng nasabing event bilang bahagi ng pagdiriwang ng International Women’s Month.

“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,” sabi ni Go, na chairman din ng 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,” dagdag pa niya.

Bagamat hindi nakadalo binigyan naman ni Sen. Pia Cayetano ang dalawang napiling Athletes of the Year na sina tennis player Alex Eala and football forward Sarina Bolden ng tig P100,00 na pabuya.

Si Diaz-Naranjo, na umukit ng kasaysayan sa kanyang Tokyo Olympics gold medal, ay isa naman sa mga recipient ng Flame award.

Dumalo din sa gala ceremony na sinuportahan ng Milo, CEL Logistics and Wrist Pod at ibang mga awardees gaya nina reigning world women’s world 10-ball champion Chezka Centeno, Asian weightlifting silver medalist Vanessa Sarno, at swimming legend Akiko Thomson, Seoul Olympic Games gold medalist Arianne Cerdena, track star Elma Muros-Posadas at Adeline Dumapong.

Binigyang parangal din ang mga top female sports officials gaya nina Pearl Managuelod (Muay Thai), Ada Milby (Rugby), Karen Caballero (Sepak Takraw), Ronalyn Redima (Lawn Bowls), Cynthia Carrion (Gymnastics), at Karina Picson (Boxing)