17 NSAs, Gilas Pilipinas and bevy of national teams
FROM all-out support to Filipino athletes to hosting local and international events, and building more sports centers, the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) stayed the course and even went extra mile for the booming Philippine sports in its full-swing return at the tailend of the pandemic.
MVPSF, with mother companies PLDT, Inc. (PLDT) and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) — more than ever — doubled on that noble commitment to further advancing Philippine sports with a banner campaign this year in and out of the country.
Just in the first quarter of the year, MVPSF unveiled the MVPSF Center for Sports Excellence in Antipolo, Rizal for the holistic training of badminton players and boxers, and the MVPSF Gymnastics Center in Intramuros, Manila for the country’s aspiring gymnasts.
That’s on top of the unwavering backing of Filipino athletes in their overseas campaigns bannered by Olympians Caloy Yulo (gymnastics), Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), EJ Obiena (pole vault), boxers Nesthy Petecio and Hergie Bacyadan, the Philippine Women’s National Football Team and the Smart Omega Esports, who have brought home multiple medals and trophies this year.
In total, MVPSF has been rallying behind 17 national sports agencies (NSAs) including a bevy of national squads like Gilas Pilipinas, Philippine men’s and women’s national volleyball teams, Smash Pilipinas, and sponsorships for Smart Omega Esports and PLDT High Speed Hitters among others.
“The pride that our athletes give the Philippines when they represent our country is priceless. PLDT and Smart have always believed that sports plays a key role in shaping individuals and communities to build a better nation,” said Jude Turcuato, Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart, and Executive Director at MVPSF.
“Our mission is to be the driving force in the development of world-class Filipino sports champions. We want to foster a culture of winning using the grassroots programs and partnerships that we’ve established in various sporting events,” he added.
MVPSF, PLDT and Smart, through the Smart Livestream app, have also made it possible to bring the Filipino fans closer to international events like the 2022 Southeast Asian Games, FIBA World Cup and FIBA Asia Cup and FIVB Volleyball Nations League along with major local tilts in the Premiere Volleyball League, University Athletics Association of the Philippines, and Philippine Basketball Association.
Smart have also bolstered this year’s Universities and Colleges Basketball League with connectivity support for livestreaming their games and country’s top sports sites, NBA.com/Philippines.
Aside from inking its 5th year partnership with Moonton for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Pro League, Smart also launched the first all-in-one esports platform for Filipino mobile gamers, GIGA Arena, to empower Filipinos with the best mobile gaming experience powered by the fastest mobile network.
But more than advancing the Philippine sports movement, PLDT and Smart have championed the mental health awareness advocacy through different seminars and conversations with Football for Humanity to launch the Better Today for Kids Playground, where fifty (50) children joined the football workshop to channeling sports and play for rehabilitation.
“We believe that sports can become an enabler for strong mental resilience and well-being, which is fundamental to our much broader digital wellness advocacy. We hope to promote a culture of empathy among our community members,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart as part of the company’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG #3: Good Health and Well-Being. — John Bryan Ulanday