INQUIRER Sports

PRIVATE DONATIONS for sports are better accounted for if they are handled by the Philippine Sports Commission, according to the head of the government agency.

PSC chair Harry Angping said benefactors can course financial support for athletes through the sports agency instead of donating them straight to the Philippine Olympic Committee and the national sports associations.

?Nothing personal,? said Angping. ?It?s all a matter of accountability.

?Once the fund is coursed through the PSC, we will guarantee its proper allocation. We will be held accountable for whatever happens to the money.?

POC president Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco Jr. announced last week that certain private ?godfathers? have shown interest in supporting national athletes.

Cojuangco said a sponsor has already committed to take care of wrestler Jason Balabal?s training for the Asian Games. Balabal, campaigning in the 74-84 kilograms, accounted for one of the country?s 38 gold medals in the recent Laos Southeast Asian Games.

Angping said private funds under the care of the PSC will be disbursed properly since the government is accountable to the donors.

?We have to put every peso to good use,? said Angping. ?I know all NSAs are professionals. We just have to make sure that all athletes, and NSAs, are getting their fair share.?

The two-time former Manila representative raised about P4 million from private sponsors like Lamoiyan Corp., Pacific Online, Tagaytay Highlands, Discovery Suites and Sterling Bank for the benefit of the SEA Games athletes.