Mc Richard Paglicawan
Fresh off organizing a successful three-day volleyball camp with star athlete Alyssa Valdez, Marikina First District Representative Maan Teodoro has unveiled her ambitious plan to establish Marikina as a key hub for sports development.
Her goal is to create a comprehensive sports program aimed at nurturing professional athletes and eventually producing the city’s first Olympic gold medalist.
“Layon nating makapag-develop ng mas maraming propesyonal na atleta mula Marikina at, balang araw, magkaroon ng isang Olympic gold medalist na magdadala ng karangalan sa ating lungsod,” Teodoro said.
The congresswoman emphasized the city’s strong sports culture, noting that Marikina has consistently been a venue for both local and international sporting events. She also highlighted the achievements of young athletes from Marikina who have represented the city in prestigious tournaments like the Palarong Pambansa and the Southeast Asian Games.
“Sumasalamin ito na ang ating lungsod ay talagang dedicated at buo ang suporta para sa mas malawak at mas mahusay na sports program sa Marikina,” she added.
Teodoro’s plan includes enhancing existing sports programs, hosting more clinics from elementary to collegiate levels, and providing opportunities for young athletes to compete in both local and international arenas. To achieve this, she aims to secure additional funding for sports infrastructure, training programs, nutrition, and resources to help athletes reach their full potential.
The congresswoman also sent a message of encouragement to Marikina’s youth, saying, “Sa mga batang taga-Marikina, magtiwala sa inyong sarili—ang batang taga-Marikina ay mahusay, matibay, at kayang makipagtagisan sa kahit anong larangan ng sports.”
Recently, Teodoro commended Marikina resident Allain Keanu Ganapin for making history as the country’s first Paralympian in taekwondo, celebrating his second consecutive Paralympic qualification for the Paris 2024 games.
In collaboration with Alyssa Valdez, Teodoro organized the “Alyssa Valdez Youth Volleyball Camp,” held from September 27 to 29 in Marikina. Valdez, an icon in Philippine volleyball, attracted significant attention to the sport among the city’s youth. Teodoro also suggested Marikina as a potential host for the inaugural Alyssa Valdez Cup, underscoring the city’s commitment to sports development.
“Ito ang isa sa mga sikat na sports nowadays, dahil sa inspiration ng mga katulad ni Alyssa,” Teodoro said, as she continues to support the city’s athletic ambitions.
