The Philippine Sports Commission hasn’t shown any reluctance on spending big for the success of the national team in the forthcoming Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games.
PSC Chair Butch Ramirez gave his all-out support in financing the participation of Filipino athletes in the Games despite the projected size of the delegation and the friction between the sports-financing agency and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
“I will provide everything that the athletes need in the SEA Games,” said Ramirez. “I hope the financial help will translate into success.”
Based on the initial list of the Philippine Olympic Committee, a total of 493 athletes and 149 coaches from 37 of the 38 sports will play in Kuala Lumpur.
Chef de mission Cynthia Carrion said 100 more key personnel, including the secretariat and medical staff, would join the 742-strong contingent during the Aug. 19 to 30 biennial meet.
Since the disagreement with the POC on the training of elite athletes three months ago, the PSC has left the obligation of selection primarily under the responsibility of the local Olympic body and the participating national sports associations.
“We’re focused on grassroots development. Our goal is to get more children involved in sports by holding Children’s Games in various parts of the country,” said Ramirez.
There are no available figures on the country’s SEAG stint yet, but the PSC usually earmarks an initial budget of P30 million for the participation.
“Nothing’s final yet. We will finalize the size of our delegation on June 8,” said Carrion.
Filipino athletes are hell-bent on improving their sixth-place finish in the 11-nation meet with Carrion and other top POC officials hoping for not lower than fifth overall.