POC asks NSAs for budget of Rio bidders

The Philippines Olympic Committee has asked national sports associations to submit a budget covering the expenses for training and overseas campaign of athletes seeking slots in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“Aside from the usual budget of the NSAs for the year, they could ask for more if we see that their athletes may need it,” said POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. Tuesday.

A total of 24 NSAs have already recommended athletes to the Olympic body for training and possible stint in the Olympics, slated Aug. 5 to 21 in Brazil.

Filipino-American trackster Eric Cray has already punched a ticket to Rio de Janeiro in the 400-meter hurdles while hopes are also high that Filipino boxers and taekwondo jins could also make the grade in international qualifiers.

“We have many new athletes who deserve a little more attention,” said Cojuangco. “We will help them appeal to the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) for more funding.”

He noted that the PSC has also agreed to provide foreign coaches for athletes bound for the Olympics.

“We will hire honest-to-goodness coaches who can impart their knowledge to local coaches,” said Cojuangco.