PNG a must for PH athletes

Unless there’s a compelling reason, athletes training overseas won’t be exempted from participating in the Philippine National Games.

The Philippine Sports Commission will prohibit national team members from skipping the PNG slated middle of the year even if they’re in the peak of training outside the country.

PSC chair Richie Garcia said the PNG is the only arena locally where athletes could really prove their worth.

“All athletes under the payroll of the PSC should participate in the national games,” said Garcia.

“We will stop giving allowances if the reasons for not participating are not valid.”

The PSC stripped several karatekas of their monthly stipend from the government two years ago when they failed to compete in the national games held in Bacolod.

There are over 800 athletes from 54 sports under the PSC’s payroll and not one of them is excused from missing the PNG.