Athletes to play for home region
Winning athletes in the Palarong Pambansa will get cash incentives from the Philippine Sports Commission, while they can now play for their home region instead of their adoptive region where they play as student-athletes.
The PSC will allocate PhP10 million to incentivize winning athletes which chair Patrick Gregorio announced during the opening of the newly renovated Baguio Teachers Camp last May 16 assured by president Ferdinand Marcos, made the official announcement during the opening of the Palarong Pambansa in Prosperidiad, Agusan del Sur last Sunday.
In the president’s directive, the amount is meant “to revitalize the national grassroots sports program.”
The groundbreaking initiative during the opening ceremony of the 66th Palarong Pambansa will be implemented by the PSC in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), organizer of the Games.
“I am happy to announce to you that for the first time, the Philippine Sports Commission will allocate incentives for the medalists of regular sports and para games in recognition of your skill,” said President Marcos in a video message and quoted in national media.
“I know that you will do your best. You will learn a lot from these Games that you can take with you wherever you go. This is where you will learn perseverance, respect, discipline, and compassion for others,” added Marcos.
Under the program, gold medalists will receive P5,000, silver medalists P3,000, and bronze medalists P2,000, a move designed to sustain the training and athletic development of the country’s young sports heroes while easing the financial sacrifices made by their families.
During his visit here in Baguio, Gregorio said: “To help with the athlete’s training and the expenses of Dad and Mom. This is just a small amount considering the large number of participants and winners in the Palarong Pambansa. This is just a sincere gesture from our government that comes from the heart,…”
He emphasized that “the program is not only about financial support but also about sending a powerful message that the government stands firmly behind its young athletes from the very beginning of their journey.”
“These incentives will likewise help motivate our young student-athletes to strive harder and to train more diligently. This is help to reach their dreams,” said Gregorio.
The fund will come from the PSC’s share from operation of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), headed by Chairman Al Tengco.
The fund is expected as a catalyst for deeper investment in grassroots sports.
“We are able to do all of this with the help of PAGCOR,” said Gregorio.
During said visit here, Gregorio also said that athletes can now play under the region where they came from and not where they are enrolled now.
The Palaro, the Batang Pinoy and even the National Private School Athletic Association are venues for recruitment by well-funded Metro Manila universities as well as other learning institutions in highly urbanized areas. PML
