PSC Commissioner Charles Maxey tallks to the Philippine delegation for the 2018 Asian Para Games Friday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Filipino athletes who will represent the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Para Games in Indonesia were given just two orders of business—get medals and have fun.
The fun part is not going to be a problem for the 57 athletes who will don the Philippine colors while there will a lot at stake for the winners.
Arnold Agustin, one of the commissioners of the Philippine Sports Commission, said on Friday during the delegation’s send off ceremony at Dad’s Edsa that those athletes who will bring home medals will be given lucrative incentives depending.
Gold medal winners will receive P1,000,000 with silver and bronze medalists set to receive P500,000 and P200,000, respectively.
“What we want from you guys is to represent the country well. Of course we want you to win medals but the more important thing is for you to enjoy yourselves,” said PSC commissioner Charles Maxey. “We are behind you all the way. The nation is hoping, praying, and supporting you.”
2016 Paralympics silver medalist Josephine Medina and Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta, who won a bronze medal in the 2018 World Paralifting Asia-Oceania Open Championships, will lead the Philippine contingent in Jakarta.
The Philippines will play in 10 of the 18 disciplines in Indonesia—archery, athletics, badminton, cycling, chess, judo, powerlifting, table tennis, swimming, and tenpin bowling.
Agustin has high hopes for the delegation after successful stints in the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, where Medina took home silver, and the 2017 ASEAN Para Games in Kuala Lumpur.
The Philippines won 20 gold medals in the 2017 Para Games placing fourth spot in the medal tally.
“We know that you can get the gold,” said Agustin in Filipino. “Last Paralympics we got a silver, in the ASEAN Para Games we went from number seven to number five. That was a good performance. I’m sure we can get the gold this time and I believe our players are ready for this.”