I was born at a time when China was mired in profound poverty and was still years away from becoming a progressive nation.
The winds of change have come with the transformation of Mainlanders from rags to riches as the world soon took notice of China’s tough and audacious road to prosperity.
Hard work has been the passport to success by the Chinese people — a bunch of dreamers, who are industrious and innovative as they continued to meet the challenges brought about by new business methodologies.
China hosted the Summer Olympic Games for the first time as it was held in Beijing in 2008. With great joy, the Games impacted all the Chinese from across the globe and in all walks of life elsewhere.
Many national and private conglomerates provided support through sponsorship as billions of dollars were delivered to ensure the rousing success of the Olympic Games in the name of patriotism.
It is said that sports mirrors society. Indeed, it does.
Sports is one of the most progressive avenues to a strong and progressive country, and China lived up to the billing in playing host to various international sporting events.
Through the years, I have worked hard to align my various organizations to partner and work with China’s sports federations.
When it hosted the 2011 World University Games (also known as the 21st Summer Universiade) in Shenzhen featuring more than 180 countries, China further strengthened its claim to being the world’s ultimate forum for first-class international sports competitions.
The 2011 Summer Universiade was held under the auspices of the International University Sports Federation or FISU. The international university sports-governing body became a phenomenon when it patterned its competitions after the Olympic concept that it had adopted with the hosting of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
This is where we come to align our organizations, such as the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines for the university events and the Philippine School Sport Association for the secondary events.
The FESSAP has already submitted its letter of intent to participate in the 31st World University Games (31st Summer Universiade) that will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China from August 18 to 29, 2021. This event, held in cooperation with the Federation of University Sports of China, Sichuan Provincial Government, and Chengdu City Government, is sanctioned by the FISU.
The PISSA has also submitted its letter of intent to compete in the 18th World School Games (18th Gymnasiade) that will be held in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, China from October 16 to 23, 2021. This event is held in cooperation with China School Sport Federation, Jinjiang City Government, and is recognized by the International School Sport Federation.
I am deeply grateful for some Filipino Chinese businessmen who have provided moral support to the success of our international commitments. These include corporate partnerships with businessmen-philanthropist, such as PISSA President and FESSAP Chairman Tai Lian of Bestank Corporation; FESSAP president Angel Ngu and George Hock Huy Chiu of the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Federation of Filipino-Chinese Association chairman Yang Hua Hong of Omni Electrical and Lighting, and Ambassador Francis Chua of the Philippine Chamber and Commerce Industries.
The preparations have been somewhat constrained by the lingering COVID-19 pandemic that has struck more than 180 countries and produced almost 60 million positive cases, with almost 1,500,000 deaths as of this writing.
In 2021, we hope for a year of recovery with the creation of the COVID-19 vaccine said to be forthcoming.
In the fight against the Coronavirus, our voice needs to be as one if mankind is to survive this health holocaust as we provide the next generation a better future.
