Camille Naredo

PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio and Timor-Leste Ambassador His Excellency Marciano Octavio Garcia Da Silva. Handout/PSC


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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1785551309112viber_image_2026-08-01_10-03-29-833.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio and Timor-Leste Ambassador His Excellency Marciano Octavio Garcia Da Silva. Handout/PSC"/>PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio and Timor-Leste Ambassador His Excellency Marciano Octavio Garcia Da Silva. Handout/PSC</div>MANILA -- The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is set to formalize invitations for Timor-Leste&#x27;s participation in two landmark events: the 2027 Tour of Luzon and the first Mindanao Youth Games in Lanao del Norte.The new collaboration between the two countries was sealed during a meeting between PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio and Timor-Leste Ambassador His Excellency Marciano Octavio Garcia Da Silva, who recently visited the PSC Villa at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.Timor Leste is the only ASEAN country invited to join the Mindanao Youth Games, scheduled for March in Tubod, Lanao del Norte next year. The event will feature 10 sports for athletes aged 8 to 18. &quot;This is more than just competition. It is about building bridges, discovering talent, and using sports as a platform for peace and development. Timor-Leste&#x27;s participation will enrich the Games and strengthen our ties as ASEAN neighbors,&quot; Gregorio said.The PSC also extended an invitation to the Tour of Luzon 2027, one of the country&#x27;s oldest cycling events.&quot;Sports is a universal language. By joining these events, Timor-Leste and the Philippines are not only competing but also sharing culture, friendship, and mutual respect,&quot; said Ambassador Da Silva.The PSC is also exploring collaboration programs with Timor-Leste in arnis, the Philippines&#x27; national martial art, and football, Timor-Leste&#x27;s most popular sport. Proposed initiatives include coaching exchanges, technical training, and grassroots development programs.&quot;Arnis represents our heritage, while football is deeply rooted in Timorese culture,&quot; said Gregorio. &quot;By sharing expertise, we can learn from each other and elevate both sports across our nations.&quot;The PSC is also coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to pursue a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sports Cooperation between the Philippines and Timor-Leste.The proposed MOU would cover community-based sports programs, healthy lifestyles, grassroots management, governance, and athlete development.The meeting also highlighted sports tourism as a platform for cultural exchange and economic growth. Both sides agreed that hosting events and sharing best practices can stimulate local economies while strengthening people-to-people ties.&quot;2026 marks Timor-Leste&#x27;s first year as a full ASEAN member. As we prepare for our ASEAN Chairmanship in 2029, partnerships like this with the Philippines will help us showcase our identity and strengthen our role in the region,&quot; said Ambassador Da Silva.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is set to formalize invitations for Timor-Leste's participation in two landmark events: the 2027 Tour of Luzon and the first Mindanao Youth Games in Lanao del Norte.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is set to formalize invitations for Timor-Leste's participation in two landmark events: the 2027 Tour of Luzon and the first Mindanao Youth Games in Lanao del Norte.

PH, Timor-Leste formalize new partnerships in sports

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PH, Timor-Leste formalize new partnerships in sports

ABS-CBN News

Published August 01, 2026 10:36 AM PHT

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Team Philippines

Timor-Leste

Philippine Sports Commission

PSC

Patrick Gregorio

Tour of Luzon

Mindanao Youth Games

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