By Waylon Galvez
Filipino athletes that will see action in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics got a big boost after President Rodrigo Duterte committed to give an additional P100 million through the Philippine Sports Commission.
President Rodrigo Duterte poses with Team Philippine athletes who participated in the recently-concluded 30th SEA Games during their courtesy call with the President and after receiving the Order of Lapu-Lapu award. (MB File Photo / Alvin Kasiban)
According to PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, the government sports agency expects the additional funding to be released by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
“Hopefully by early next year, January,” he said
The additional budget will be included to the national sporte development fund or NSDF, from where the PSC gets its funding for the training and foreign exposure of national team members, in particular the Olympics.
Carlos Yulo (MB File Photo / Alec Go)
The additional fund is expected to be used by the PSC for athletes joining different Olympic Qualifying Tournaments starting January for the Tokyo Games.
Duterte’s request for an additional P100 million came during the distribution of cash incentives on athletes who’ve won medals during the 30th Southeast Asian Games in a ceremony held Wednesday night in Malacañang.
“I heard we are giving P100 million for the Olympics… Puwede tayo magdagdag?” said the country’s Chief Executive, who sought out Pagcor chief Andrea Domingo for the additional budget.
So far, two Filipino athletes have earned slots in the Tokyo Olympics, gymnast Carlos Yulo and pole vaulterEJ Obiena, but the number is expected to increase as a number of athletes will see action in different Olympic Qualifying Tournaments starting January.
EJ Obiena
Rio Olympics silver medalists and Asian Games gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe lead the Filipino bets eyeing Olympic spots and skateboarder Margielyn Didal lead the Olympic aspirants.
Source: Manila Bulletin
Xtra Sports ph 