Wrestling first to join PSC priority plan

THE WRESTLING Association of the Philippines became the first to respond positively among the 10 national sports associations whose disciplines are in the priority program of the Philippine Sports Commission.

“I challenged wrestling officials to become the first NSA to take advantage of the program,” said PSC chair Richie Garcia yesterday.

“They promised to immediately work on the documents of their athletes and chose China as their training destination.”

The PSC had initially allocated P108 million for the priority sports with boxing, taekwondo, athletics, swimming and wushu getting at least P12 million each.

Wrestling stands to receive P10 million in financial aid from the government. Garcia said the national grapplers would train for six months to a year in China.

“I hope the move of wrestling would encourage the other sports to come forward,” said Garcia.

Aside from taking a medical, athletes in the priority program would be required to sign a contract with the PSC requiring them to concentrate on training. Under the program, 145 SEA Games medalists last year could earn as much as P40,000 in monthly allowances.

“Government money is involved here, so we have to make sure the NSAs and athletes follow certain conditions,” said Garcia.