FILIPINO athletes competing in the Paris Olympics do not need to win medals to get cash incentives from the government and private individuals. In a move that has no precedent, just being an Olympian will be rewarded with a finance package even before the athletes depart for the Games.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann said the incentives will come mostly from several senators who informed the PSC of their donations.
Tne total amount has not been determined but Bachmann, speaking at Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum (PSA), said the amount will run into millions of pesos.
Senators pitch in
Among those who have committed to give incentives include Sen. Pia Hontiveros and Sen. Bong Go with Hontiveros pledging P23 million, Bachmann said,
"Sen. Bong Go has a figure already. May additional siya," said Bachmann. "There’s also additional from other senators direct to the athletes already na pinasa lang sa PSC and I just signed a cheque siguro mga P30 plus millions."
The PSC head said that the amount will be distributed before the Paris Games set July 26 to Aug. 9.
So far, 15 Filipino athletes have qualified, with Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino expecting around four more to join the campaign.
In the 2021 Tokyo Games, the Philippines won its first gold medal, courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. The country also captured three other medals - silvers by Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio and a bronze by Eumir Marcial, all of them boxers.
"We have until June 30 to see sino pa ang mag-qualify,” added Bahmann.
The PSC has alloted P52 million for the Paris Olympics, including the preparations, training and actual participation. Also part of the expenditures are for airfare, luggage and parade uniforms.
"We’ve already spent P43 million so I have P8 to P9 million left (for other expenses)," said Bachmann.
Those who have qualified for the Paris Games are pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, boxers Aira Villegas, Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan, Marcial and Paalam, gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo, rower Joanie Delgaco, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza, and Elreen Ando, and fencer Sam Catantan.
Athletes' dormitory set to rise
During the forum, presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/PLDT, MILO, and ArenaPlus, Bachmann said the PSC plans to build a seven-storey athletes’ dormitory inside the RMSC complex.
He said the building will rise where the old boxing and pencak silat buildings are now. Groundbreaking will be in August and may be completed in two years.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
