PSC dangles ‘foreign coach pay’ to deserving Filipino mentors

Filipino coaches can reach the pay grade of foreign coaches if they can prove their worth.

Philippine Sports Commission Chair Butch Ramirez said he wouldn’t hesitate giving local coaches a considerable increase in monthly salaries the moment they guarantee producing medal-performing athletes.

“The PSC can give them P75,000 or even P100,000 a month,” said Ramirez. “We’re willing to invest for them to become full-time coaches. But in return, we expect them to produce quality athletes.”

Coaches from over 40 national sports associations receive not more than P40,000 a month from the PSC with trainers and other coaches getting less than P20,000.

Foreign coaches can fetch as high as $2,500 depending on their credentials, plus free board and lodging.

Filipino coaches often seek greener pastures overseas where they could earn almost the same rate as foreign coaches.

“If we can pay a foreign coach that much and still end up without a gold (medal), I’ll take my chances with a Filipino coach,” said Ramirez.

“But these coaches should dress and talk like an excellent coach. No drinking (of alcohol), no womanizing and they should dedicate much of their time to the athletes,” added Ramirez. “If you cannot do that, get out of the national team.”

Ramirez values the importance of coaches in molding world-class athletes.

“I’m willing to remove the foreign coach, if they (Filipino coaches) can tell me that they can produce medals,” said the PSC chief.