JAKARTA, Indonesia -- In a dynamic display of sports diplomacy and regional solidarity, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio recently met with Indonesian Sports Minister Erick Thohir here to explore deeper collaboration between the two Southeast Asia nations.
The meeting marked the reunion of Gregorio and Thohir, longtime friends who first crossed paths over two decades ago as executives in the corporate sports industry.
Now, both serve as newly appointed national sports leaders, with Gregorio assuming his post in July and Thohir in September.
Their shared history and mutual respect laid the foundation for what could become one of the region’s most ambitious sports partnerships.
During his 36-hour visit to Jakarta, Gregorio attended the Opening Ceremony of the FIG World Gymnastics Championships, cheered on Filipino gymnasts, and met with officials from the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) to discuss regional development programs.
He also held high-level discussions with Thohir on joint hosting opportunities for world-class tournaments and sports tourism initiatives.
The highlight of Gregorio’s visit came during his meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, a passionate advocate for Olympic excellence, during the wedding of Thohir’s daughter on Saturday evening.
Both the Philippines and Indonesia celebrated historic victories at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, each bringing home two gold medals, a milestone that underscored Southeast Asia’s growing prominence in global sports.
“The Olympic success of the Philippines and Indonesia is Southeast Asia’s success. Together, we can build a stronger, more united front in international competition,’’ said Gregorio.
Thohir echoed the sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for co-hosting “bigger, if not the biggest” international tournaments that the region will host globally. Indonesia used its recent co-hosting of the FIBA World Cup 2023 with the Philippines as an example for future collaborations.
As the region eyes a more prominent role in the global sports arena, the friendship between Gregorio and Thohir promises to be a driving force in laying the groundwork for what could be Southeast Asia’s most ambitious sports collaboration yet.
