Wesley So, who originated from Bacoor, Cavite, parted ways with the Philippine Sports Commission. So’s future chess career can be successfully better, especially in his new nationality country, the United States, where opportunities are everywhere.

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In the Philippines, the system of sports is corrupt. It is filled with incompetent leaders who fail to recognize the needs of the country’s athletes. In 2017, So stopped representing the Philippines in international competitions after being denied financial support by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission. It is disheartening to see great Filipino talents such as So leaving the motherland. Still, we have to remember that these athletes have dreams and hopes to become world-class, to become admirable in their chosen sport. The country has failed to support them. It is not right to stop them from grabbing opportunities just for the sake of patriotism.

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“That does not mean I don’t love the Philippines. I have good memories from there. But I did not have the connections needed to succeed in that culture. I was from the province, not a city boy —had no money, etc. I wanted to go further, and  there was only one country a nobody can make it. The USA!” So said in an interview with the U.S Chess Federation.

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So’s chess career in the Philippines is over, considering that he changed his nationality. It’s a new beginning for him. This time, for another country.

On the other hand, Jaja Santiago is officially a Japanese citizen after accepting a proposal that will change her nationality.

Santiago, who signed with the Saitama Ageo Medics, a volleyball team in Japan, believes that she can achieve her dreams by naturalization, giving her the chance to represent team Japan in the Olympics a goal that she has been aspiring for a long time.

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‘’Bakit hindi ko i-grab? Kasi nga syempre pangarap kong mag-Olympics, gusto ko maglaro doon and Japan ay nandoon na sila. Hindi siya ganun kahirap tuparin." Santiago said in an interview with CNN.

Despite this, her Filipino blood is still at heart.

"Maglalaro ako for my national team. Pinayagan nila (Saitama Ageo Medics) ako although meron talagang consequences, merong penalty. Papayagan nila ako maglaro sa SEA Games," she said.

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It would be an injustice to these players to deprive them of good opportunities.

In sports, it’s all about being the best. It just doesn’t sit right to shackle these athletes in a corrupt system knowing that they have the potential to become outstanding players. As long as national agencies neglect their duties to provide assistance and aid to the country’ athletes, So and Santiago’s case will only be two in hundreds to come. Anyone can be a good athlete, anyone can play the game, but if this continued deprivation goes on, the Philippines will never be recognized as a country with good players.