By MARK REY MONTEJO
More than the ounce of gold dangling around her neck during the Tokyo Olympics, there is nothing more valuable for Hidilyn Diaz than to see her sport finally grow and get enough attention to improve.
And that was further typified by the upcoming partnership between Diaz, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to promote weightlifting in the country.
The three government agencies are joining hands to boost Diaz’s hopes of producing another Olympian from the grassroots by giving resources – high-quality equipment for training – and education with the development in 300 public schools across the country.
“I’m very happy na nangyayari ‘tong mga development na ‘to, napaka-importante ito para masolusyunan ‘yong pangangailangan ng mga schools pagdating sa mga equipment,” said Diaz after Sports Stakeholders Forum in Parañaque City Tuesday evening, Sept. 2.
“Maraming mga bata ‘yong gustong matuto nitong sport, and next nalang ‘yong i-educate ‘yong technical officials, coaches, para safety ng laro, and maturo ‘yong basic sa kanila,” she added.
Weightlifting was recently re-inserted in this year’s Palarong Pambansa in Laoag City as a demo which Diaz and Co. yearns to be a regular sport in the future editions of the premier grassroots meet.
Hidilyn in SEA Games?
A two-time gold winner in the Southeast Asian Games, Diaz is weighing if she will go for her third top-honor pursuit in the 33rd iteration of the biennial joust this December in Thailand.
According to Diaz, who also has two silvers and one bronze in SEAG, she is in the current lineup of the Nationals as she competes in the women’s 58kg class.
She as well bared that she didn’t stop from her training and stressed to the Filipino fans that don’t expect too much on her SEAG return, especially her final appearance there was in 2022 in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“‘Di ako nangangako [na makukuha ko ‘yong ginto], pero nangangako ako na gagawin ko ‘yong best ko sa training and sa competition,” Diaz continued.
A book to inspire
Diaz disclosed that she will be launching her first-ever book “Lift” in the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBM) in Germany this October.
The 34-year-old sport icon shared the news about her book which featured her journey from the very beginning, her success, setbacks, and transition era as well as values and technical learning she gained from weightlifting.
“Mai-inspire sila, makikita nila ‘yong perspective ng na-inspire, kwento ng storya ko, kung anong klaseng tao ako. Abangan nyo!”
