GOVPH

DOHA 06 April 2024 — The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Doha celebrated the International Day of Sport for Peace and Development on 06 April 2024 by recalling the achievements and dedication of Filipino athletes who recently visited the State of Qatar to take part in various sports events. 

In September 2023, Gilas Pilipinas Boys ended up fourth in the FIBA U16 Asian Championship at Al Gharaffa Sports Club in Doha — enough to bring the young Philippine squad to the U17 FIBA World Cup in Türkiye in June 2024. 

The Gilas Pilipinas Boys’ achievement came on the heels of the Philippines’ successful hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in August and September 2023.

Together with the senior Gilas team, the U17 Gilas Pilipinas Boys continue the Philippines’ tradition of excellence in basketball in Southeast Asia and beyond. 

In December 2023, Filipino weightlifters competed in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Grand Prix II where John Febuar Ceniza and Rose Jean Ramos each bagged a silver in the men’s 61 kgs Group A and women’s 45 kgs Group A, respectively.

The Philippines’ first and only Olympic gold medalist, Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo, also took part in the competition. Diaz-Naranjo’s epic gold medal triumph in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics proved pivotal in bringing the global spotlight on Filipino athletes, including the sacrifices they need to endure to succeed in their chosen sports. 

To this day, Diaz-Naranjo stands as a testament to the ability of female Filipino athletes to rise above systemic gender-based challenges — a living proof of the power of sports to unite people. 

In February 2024, several Filipino swimmers made a splash in the World Aquatics Championships in Doha as part of their bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics later in the year. 

Their resilience and passion for the sport underscore their commitment to excellence and are indicative of their regard for swimming, and sports in general, as a potent tool for nation-building. 

Most recently, Joshua “The Passion” Pacio made headlines for winning the ONE Strawweight MMA World Title at ONE 166 in Doha in March 2024.

In a post-match event, Pacio thanked the support of fellow Filipinos in Qatar who showed up in droves during his match. He attributed his success to his unwavering faith and expressed hope that his achievement could serve as an inspiration for the youth to explore meaningful pursuits.

Held annually on the 6th of April, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace seeks to shore up support for sports and the role it plays in addressing social issues, including gender parity, opportunities for differently abled individuals, and the promotion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The theme for this year’s edition is “Sport for the Promotion of Peaceful and Inclusive Societies.”

For more information, visit dohape.dfa.gov.ph, facebook.co/PHinQatar, or instagram.com/phinqatar.