True to his promise, President Duterte has allotted an additional P100 million budget for the training and foreign exposures of Filipino athletes seeking berths for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Butch Ramirez said the additional funding, which Duterte promised during the distribution of cash incentives to the SEA Games winners last week, will come from Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.
“I heard we are giving P100 million for the Olympics… Puwede tayo magdagdag?” said the country’s Chief Executive, who instructed Pagcor chief Andrea Domingo for the additional budget.
Ramirez said the additional budget is a testament to Duterte’s sincerity and love for PH sports.
“Hopefully it will be released by early next year, January,” said Ramirez, who added that the training and foreign exposures of the national team members will come from the additional budget.
Two Filipino athletes have so far earned slots for the Tokyo Olympics, gymnast Carlos Yulo and pole vaulterEJ Obiena.
The number of Olympic hopefuls is expected to increase by June as Filipino athletes will vie in various Olympic Qualifying Tournaments starting January.
Rio Olympics silver medalists and Asian Games gold medal winner Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe lead the Filipino bets eyeing Olympic spots.
Also expected to secure Tokyo Games berth is skateboarder Margielyn Didal. (Waylon Galvez)
