By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippine Sports Commission has proposed a total budget of over P546 million to the Department of Budget and Management for five of the nine major sporting events that national athletes would be taking part next year.
The bulk of the proposed budget, amounting to P250 million, will be allotted for the country’s participation in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from May 2 to 16, 2023, while P100 million will be allocated to the participation in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China slated Sept. 23 to Oct. 8, 2023.
Also part of the proposal is the P72 million budget for the 4th World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Oct. 5 to 14, 2023, P67 million for the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Bangkok and Chonburi, Thailand on Nov. 17 to 26, 2023, and P56 million for the 2nd World Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia from Aug. 5 to 17, 2023.
“We are hoping that the proposed budget will be approved by our country’s leaders. As a former athlete, the unwavering support of the government along with the full backing of the Filipino people are vital for our success,” said PSC Commissioner and Officer-in-Charge Bong Coo.
Budget for participation in the ASEAN Para Games and Asian Para Games and two world-level competitions of FIBA and FIFA are still to be finalized.
The PSC is also hoping that the country’s para athletes will continue to reap honors when they see action in the 12th ASEAN Para Games from June 3 to 9, 2023 in Cambodia, as well as in the Hangzhou Para Games from Oct. 22 to 28, 2023.