PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez made it clear the government has been supportive in Hidilyn Diaz’s bid for the gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Ramirez made a statement following Diaz’s post on her Instagram account that he is seeking funding from private sponsors in her quest to win the country its first gold medal in the Olympics next year.
“The government has been very supportive,” said Ramirez in a press statement.
Ramirez said Diaz has one of the highest allowances in the national pool, and that her request for support from the PSC has rarely been turned down.
Ramirez said the PSC has given almost P4.5 million for her foreign training in Hainan and Guangxi, China. The government sports agency has also paid for the salary and food allowance of Diaz’s foreign coach Kaiwen Gao, and has approved the weightlifting national sports associations (NSA) request for funding in competitions.
The PSC, Ramirez said, has also constructed a new weightlifting gym inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for Diaz.
“Hidilyn receives support from the PSC and the Philippine Air Force being an enlisted personnel,” said Ramirez.
Ramirez also added, as far as he know, Diaz has private sponsors from the likes of the MVP Sports Foundation and Alcantara and Sons.
“I do not think government was remiss of its support to Hidilyn. Despite what it seems, we at the PSC choose to see her for what she is, a champion we will support on her dream to achieve more,” said Ramirez.
“It would be good for Hidilyn to visit us so we could talk and clarify matters,” said Ramirez.
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