THE road to the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics for Filipino athletes just gained a lift.
In a historic partnership, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) tied up with Smart Communications and SportsPlus for full support to the national athletes vying in the major competitions in the next few years leading up to a bid in LA.
It’s a four-year partnership between the POC led by president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Smart and SportsPlus aimed at backing the athletes’ preparation and training camp here and abroad to replicate the country’s success from the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“This collaboration with Smart and SportsPlus is a big boost for our athletes. The most important thing is preparation in all our undertakings, and these partnerships provide exactly that. With partners who are truly passionate about Philippine sports, we may not just bring home two medals like we did in the Paris Olympics — we can achieve even more,” said Mr. Tolentino after the contract signing on Wednesday night at the Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong.
POC’s new venture comes on the heels of the triumph of Filipino athletes like Aislinn Yap, Carlos Baylon, Jr., Kaila Napolis and Chezka Centeno in the 2025 World Games in Chengdu, China last month.
The hope is to ride on that success and the two-gold medal haul of gymnast Caloy Yulo in Paris last year as the Philippines braces for the SEA Games in Bangkok this December, the Asian Games next year in Nagoya and the qualifiers leading to the LA in 2028.
Thanks to new partners, that dream is closer to reality with SportsPlus, No. 1 sportsbook in the country and a trusted PAGCOR-regulated platform, as the official gaming partner and Smart the official connectivity partner until 2029.
Smart will ensure that our athletes are connected, whether it’s by providing world-class connectivity for training, live streaming sports content, or keeping our national athletes in touch with their families and supporters, especially when they compete abroad.”
“Smart will continue to empower our athletes in every step of the way. With support, the best is yet to come for Philippine sports.” said Smart Communications, Inc. First Vice-President and Head of Sports Jude H. Turcuato.
“SportsPlus is more than a partner — we are a dedicated supporter of the exceptional talent and spirit of the Filipino athlete. From grassroots development to the professional ranks and onto the world stage, SportsPlus is committed to standing with athletes every step of the way,” added SportsPlus Head of Partnerships James da Costa, who gifted the Filipino medalists in World Games a brand new iPhone 17 as reward and token for the new tie-up.
“This partnership is our pledge to provide the support, visibility, and resources they need to excel and bring pride to the nation.” — John Bryan Ulanday
