SEA Games campaign to cost at least P39M

The Philippine Sports Commission will spend at least P39 million for the participation of the Philippine delegation to the 28th Southeast Asian Games.

Chef de mission Julian Camacho said the amount will take care of the  expenses of the 451 athletes from 34 sports and 120 officials during the June 5 to 16 meet in Singapore.

Based on the figures, Camacho said the PSC  will spend P60,000 for each member of the delegation, which includes airfare, accommodation and allowances.

“So far, we haven’t requested any additional funding. But in case the need arises, we’ll be obliged to ask for more,” said the treasurer of the Philippine Olympic Committee and secretary general of the Wushu Federation of the Philippines.

The athletes will arrive in the wealthy city-state at least two days before their schedule of competition with the men’s under-23 football team and women’s netball squad expected to leave ahead before the opening ceremonies on June 5.

Hostilities in men’s football will begin on May 29 while netball is slated on  May 31. Table tennis (June 1) and fencing (June 3) are also scheduled before the opening rites at the Singapore National Stadium.

According to Camacho, the track suits and competition uniforms of the athletes have already been ordered. He said the men will wear Barong Tagalog and the women Filipiniana dress during the opening-day parade.

“Everything has been taken care of. We will not go to Singapore unprepared,” said Camacho.

Out of 451 Filipino athletes, 51 will go to the Games on their own without financial backing from the PSC after the screening committee initially excluded them from the official lineup.

Six practical shooters, eight  traditional boat racing bets, 13 entries in women’s water polo,  12 in women’s netball  and 12 in men’s volleyball will shoulder their own expenses.

The PSC will reimburse the full amount plus corresponding incentives once they bring home medals.