Ayala Foundation recently welcomed 19 of the Philippines’ top athletes into the Atletang Ayala program, which supports Filipino sports talents in their athletic pursuits while offering career development within the Ayala group. This new cohort includes competitors from the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympics, as well as the Paris 2024 Paralympics, with notable Olympians and a Paralympian among the ranks.
Joanie Delgaco, the Philippines’ pioneering female rower in the Paris 2024 Olympics, shared her excitement for the program, saying, “Atletang Ayala will help me a lot in terms of extra support for my training here and abroad. It will also help me as a professional in the Ayala group, in terms of new skills and knowledge imparted by the program.”
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Allain Ganapin, who competed in taekwondo at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, highlighted the program’s focus on enhancing training conditions and preparing athletes for elite-level success: “I see that the Atletang Ayala program will help us in training, conditioning, and nutrition, and will bring us to world-level competitions so that we can become an Olympic and Paralympic medalist in the future.”
This year’s Atletang Ayala cohort includes athletes who have excelled in various sports, such as Amparo Acuña (shooting), Kurt Barbosa (2021 Olympic taekwondo), Jason Baucas (wrestling), Abby Bidaure (archery), Baby Canabal (taekwondo), Janna Catantan (fencing), Dave Cea (taekwondo), Allaine Cortey (fencing), Laila Delo (taekwondo), John Ferrer (judo), Veronica Garces (taekwondo), Leah Jhane Lopez (judo), Noelito Jose Jr. (fencing), Nathaniel Perez (fencing), Franchette Quiroz (shooting), Jonathan Reaport (archery), and Sammuel Tranquilan (fencing).
The Atletang Ayala program provides athletes with full-salaried employment and flexible work arrangements, comprehensive health and wellness support through Healthway Medical Network, and access to the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite. Additionally, the athletes receive financial support for international training and competitions, and they actively participate in various sports-related and volunteer programs with the Ayala Foundation and Ayala companies.
This program, developed in partnership with Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, BPI, Globe Telecom, ACEN, AC Health, AC Logistics, AC Mobility, Integrated Micro-Electronics, and the Ayala Multi-Purpose Cooperative, will support the athletes for the next four years as they train to bring pride to the Philippines.
During the welcome event at Ayala headquarters in Makati, AC Mobility CEO Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala said, “Through the Atletang Ayala program, the Ayala group seeks to inspire more Filipinos to pursue their athletic dreams and bring the nation together through sports.” Ayala Foundation President Tony Lambino added, “Atletang Ayala is the group’s investment in the next generation of sports leaders who will influence and inspire others to excel in whatever field they choose.”
Stay updated with the journeys of the Atletang Ayala athletes as they represent the Philippines on the global stage! Discover more Good Deed stories of pride and triumph on Good News Pilipinas!
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