MEMBERS of the Olongapo Junior Trackers team are not only inspired but fully motivated going into the 2024 Batang Pinoy in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan this week.
That’s because Paris Olympian Maxine Esteban and Capital1 co-owner Milka Romero have joined hands in granting their wish of owning brand-new running shoes.
Touched by the message of Olongapo Junior trackers coach who reached out to her for help in providing the young student-athletes their gears for the competition, Esteban, through her very won Sports Foundation along with the 1Pacman Partylist, gave away a total 83 pairs of shoes from Anta Philippines.
Esteban-Romero kinship
Esteban and Romero led the simple turnover ceremony on Saturday to the young athletes, who came all the way from Olongapo, displaying their wide smiles and appreciation as they received their new running shoes that also came with products from Rebisco and rechargeable fans from Akari.
The student athletes were accompanied by their head coach Samuel Bada and Olongapo City Sports and Youth Development head David Bayarong.
"Nagpapasalamat po tayo. Malaking malaking tulong ito sa mga kabataan natin lalo na't ang mga kabataan natin some of them don't really have the means para makakuha ng shoes," said Bayarong.
Having met in a ceremony where they are both awarded as women of style and substance, Romero, who is 1Pacman Partylist first nominee, said the partnership with Esteban was only fitting, especially that they both share the advocacy of giving back to the Philippine sports by helping the grassroots.
More than giving the gears to the young athletes, both Esteban and Romero believe that the small gesture of support to the aspiring national team athletes could go a long way particularly in keeping the fire of their dream burning even through the challenges they would face in life.
“I think what pushes us forward as an athlete is that there’s someone that believes in us. Isang fan, ‘yung parents, yung coaches natin. Definitely, children are being developed through sports and we are only there to guide them and keep that dream,” said Romero.
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