By NICK GIONGCO
A gold medalist in the Indonesia Asian Games stands to receive a whopping P5 million after the Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation dangled P1 million to go with the P2 million incentive from the government and another P2 million from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said that Davao tycoon Dennis Uy, the Presidential Adviser on Sports, has pledged P1 million for a gold medal from the Asian Games that formally gets going today in Jakarta a d Palembang.
Under Uy’s scheme, the silver medalist gets P500,000 and the bronze medalist, P250,000.
“We want to help fuel the country’s dream of global recognition in sports,” said Uy in a statement.
The Philippines is sending 272 athletes to the quadrennial sportsfest that runs until Sept. 3 with combat sports forming the top of the country’s medal quest.
There is also high hopes in weightlifting with Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz entered in her pet 53 kg. division.
Four years ago in Incheon, the Philippines brought home one gold medal, three silvers and 11 bronzes.
“To our athletes, your hard work and determination to excel despite adversities is an inspiration to your fellow Filipinos. You can count on the support of Siklab as you represent the best of our country to the world,” added Uy.
Siklab Atleta Pilipinas Sports Foundation, Inc. is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the private sector to help the Philippines in our quest to win our first Olympic gold.
Through a pool of funds gathered from private sponsors, Siklab Atleta has pledged to provide the country’s best athletes with training equipment and facilities, coaching, exposure to international competitions, education, housing, and livelihood programs.
The foundation is backed by the country’s largest corporations, namely, SM Investments Corp., Belle Resources, RFM Corporation, Alaska Corporation, Tanduay Distillery, JG Summit, Megawide Construction, International Container Terminal Services, San Miguel Corporation, PLDT, United Laboratories, Ulticon Builders, Phoenix Petroleum, 2GO, Megaworld, Robinsons Land, and Piatco.
