NSA budgets hinge on SEAG medals

MANILA—Perform or lose your financial assistance from the government.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Ritchie Garcia issued this directive to national sports associations whose athletes are competing in the coming Southeast Asian Games.

Garcia said the budget of these NSAs next year would be based on the performances of their athletes in the biennial meet on Nov. 11-25 in the cities of Palembang and Jakarta in Indonesia.

“I advised them (NSA leaders) to send only the best athletes from the pool because if these athletes fail to achieve expectations, the allocation of their NSAs from the government will be affected,” said Garcia.

NSAs seeking to participate in the games have initially submitted a total of 652 athletes to the POC, including 146 coaches and officials and 41 team leaders from 41 out of 44 sports to be played in what is seen as the biggest SEAG in history.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. said the figure would be trimmed next month after a series of tests designed to gauge the strength and conditioning of the athletes.

“If they don’t perform in the SEA Games, expect the PSC to slash the budget of their NSAs by half,” said Garcia.

“Don’t blame us if you receive a smaller assistance next year. I suggest you bring athletes who will deliver,” Garcia told NSA leaders during the POC general assembly on Wednesday.