The MVPSF: Supporter of many sports

Businessman Manny V. Pangilinan has always been known to be a sports patron and this interest is reflected in the sports he has supported over the years. 

Aside from being the chairman emeritus of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), MVP has supported various sports, majority of which he has done through the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF). 

Here are some of the athletes who add to the long list of those who have been supported by the foundation: Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz; boxer Eumir Marcial; gymnast Carlos Yulo; and skateboarder Margielyn Didal. 

MVPSF has been backing various Philippine sports world since 2011. It aims to be “the driving force in the development of world class Filipino sports champions as well as the leading proponent of a culture of winning and positive youth development through sports.”

So here are the six other sports that the MVPSF has supported—through funding and providing expertise—to date.

Weightlifting

Hidilyn Diaz brought the country to the Olympic map when she bagged the silver medal in the 53kg weightlifting division in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

This success led MVP to support Diaz with the staging of the Hidilyn Diaz Weightlifting Open Championships in 2017, which aimed to encourage more athletes to take on the sport.

Aside from that, Diaz was also blessed with immense support in her competitions, including her gold medal victory in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, and was given 1.5 million pesos directly from the foundation to boost her journey to the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Badminton

Pangilinan plays this sport, so it’s natural he’d support it, too.

He staged the MVP Cup from 2005 to 2006 which brought the best badminton players of Asia and Europe to our shores. 

This support for badminton continues, with former Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez taking the role as the Philippine Badminton Association president.

Meanwhile, Smash Pilipinas team is currently comprised of these men: Ros Pedrosa, Alvin Morada, and Peter Magnaye; while the women consist of Sarah Joy Barredo and Thea Pomar.

The Philippines was also a host to the 2020 Badminton Asia Team Championships last February, and was supposed to stage the 2020 Badminton Asia Championships in April. However, this event was cancelled due to the pandemic. 

Taekwondo

The MVPSF has supported the projects of the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA).

The SMART/MVP Sports Foundation Best of the Best Championships is being consistently held. At the same time, the foundation has helped national athletes in the international competitions they compete in. 

It recently held the 2020 Smart/MVP Sports Foundation Online National Taekwondo Speed Kicking Championships. 

Meanwhile, the national athletes who have benefited from these programs are Samuel Morrison and Pauline Lopez.

Golf

The foundation has constantly supported the players in this arena like Jobim Carlos. He is a scholar, molding his skills and talents in the University of San Francisco.

More golfers have found the same luck, while the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) is likewise given support. 

Rugby

The Philippine Volcanoes and the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) are included in the list of MVPSF-supported teams. 

E-sports

The emerging world of e-sports is one of the newest sporting areas the MVPSF has stepped into. 

Former TV5 president Jane Basas now serves as the president of the Esports National Association of the Philippines (ESNAP), which aims to highlight the Filipinos' skills in online gaming.

Sibol Pilipinas, meanwhile, bagged accolades in the 30th SEA Games last year, as they won three of the six gold medals, as well as a silver and a bronze.

Last month, the federation worked in tandem with the SBP and E-Gilas Pilipinas, which competed in Indonesia in the Southeast Asian conference of the 2020 Fiba Esports Open.

Other sports associations

Similar to the sports and athletes mentioned, the MVPSF supports other national sports associations through funding and providing expertise. 

These associations are the following: Philippine Rowing Association; Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines; Philippine Obstacle Sports Federation; and Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas. 

Photo is from sports.inquirer.net