The Philippine team in the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur will feature 300 athletes and nothing more.
Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez pegged the figure in coordination with the joint SEAG task force composed of Philippine Olympic Committee and PSC officials.
“We will support only those who are deserving,” said Ramirez. “We’ve already agreed on it.”
Outside the athletes, the PSC has allotted only 75 slots for coaches and officials from the 28 sports where Filipino athletes will compete.
POC officials earlier proposed a size of 600 athletes to the Aug. 19 to 31 biennial meet with POC president Peping Cojuangco aiming no less than a top three finish among 11 countries.
“No one from the PSC board will go there. But if they need funding and manpower help, we will lend a hand,” said Ramirez.
The lines have been drawn that the PSC will just focus on building community sports and developing grassroots programs in the provinces while funding the training and competition of the elite athletes and coaches.
The POC will concentrate on winning medals in the SEAG, Asian Games, Olympics and other big tournaments.