PH Embassy in Doha Marks International Day of Sport for Development and Peace with Celebration of PH Athletes
Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Lilibeth V. Pono (second from left) and Carlos Yulo (third from left) at the Doha leg of the 15th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup. (Doha PE photo)
DOHA 11 April 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in the State of Qatar marked the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace with a celebration of the positive impact of world class Filipino athletes who were in Doha for various sports events in recent weeks.
Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Lillibeth V. Pono was on site at the Aspire Dome in Doha as Filipino sensation Carlos Yulo capped off his stint in the second leg of the 15th Artistic Gymnastics World Cup with a three-medal haul – gold in floor exercise, silver in the parallel bars, and a bronze in vault.
Yulo outclassed his peers in the three-day event as he remained on course to securing a slot in Paris 2024.
Running from 1 to 4 March 2023, the Doha leg of the World Cup series also saw the outpouring of support from Filipinos who swarmed the venue to witness the Olympian’s gymnastic prowess.
Yulo’s achievements have catapulted him to international fame, and have given occasion to the further development of the grassroots program for gymnastics in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the Philippine men’s national football team, the Azkals, paid a courtesy call on Ambassador Pono at the Philippine Embassy in Doha on 27 March 2023.
Led by team captain Neil Etheridge, the Azkals were in Qatar for a friendly against Jordan at the Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium.
Representing the Philippines in international football meets, the Azkals have been largely instrumental in increasing the profile of football in a country where basketball is the dominant sport.
Held annually on the 6th of April, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace seeks to shore up support for sports and the role it plays in addressing social issues, including gender parity, opportunities for differently abled individuals, and the promotion of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This year’s edition carried the theme “Scoring for People and the Planet.” END
Ambassador Pono (seated second from right, center seat) with members of the Philippine men’s national football team, the Azkals. (Doha PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.dohape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinQatar/ or https://www.instagram.com/phinqatar/.