Tabal gets P100,000 assistance from Capitol

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu provincial government yesterday turned over a check worth P100,000 to Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2017 women’s marathon gold medalist Mary Joy Tabal.

After extending his congratulations, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III handed over the check to her in the presence of Ramil Abing, executive director of the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission.

“Congratulations! I'm so proud of you,” Davide told Tabal.

Tabal, 28, is a native of Guba, a mountain barangay in Cebu City. Before competing at the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia last month, she had to face the odds after she was dropped from the roster of delegates days before the games.

The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association, the organization that decides on the tracksters who will represent the country in the biennial meet, would later reconsider its decision after Tabal’s camp, with the support of her “tatay,” Philippine Sports Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, lobbied to fight for the slot.

In an interview, Tabal said she would use financial assistance for her training as she will prepare for the Asian Games next year, and eventually the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

She is set to leave for Italy where she will train for two months.

“(I will use the money for my) requirements for the renewal of my visa. Hopefully by the first week of October, maka-start na ko sa training,” she said.

“I am planning to defend my title for the fifth time in the national Milo Marathon, which will be held in Cebu. Training ko sa Italy for two months and balik ko by December,” she added.

Aside from the check, Davide also gave Tabal a round seal bearing the logo of the Cebu provincial government.

Earlier, the Cebu City government also gave P500,000 in financial assistance to the celebrated Cebuano athlete.

The city also named her one of its “modern-day heroes” during the National Heroes Day celebration last month. (FREEMAN)