PSC overshoots SEA Games budget by P15M

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Sports Commission needs about P15 million more to fund the approved roster of 424 athletes and 140 officials to the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia next month.

Based on the estimate of an P80,000 budget for each member of the delegation, PSC chair Richie Garcia said the 564-strong contingent will spend a total of P45,120,000, well over the approved SEA Games budget of P30 million.

Garcia said the agency is looking for a private backer willing to cover the rest of the expenses, adding that part of the deficit could be subsidized by Malacañang.

“We have to determine the exact figures first before asking for Malacañang’s help,” said Garcia.

The Philippine Olympic Committee has not finalized the size of the delegation yet after accommodating 110 athletes and 21 officials more from 14 national sport associations expected to be funded by private patrons.

The Olympic body has set a October 20 deadline for these NSAs to confirm their participation in the biggest SEA Games in history with 42 sports and 500 events on tap.

Garcia said the sponsors of these NSAs should provide enough funding to subsidize the airfare, billeting, accommodation, uniforms and allowances of the athletes and officials.

“If the NSAs can’t come up with the amount by October 20, there’s a possibility that their participation will be canceled,” said Garcia.

The PSC chief has also discouraged sponsors from giving out more than what is needed by the athletes, saying it could demoralize the PSC-funded members of the contingent.