NSAs seek funds for Rio qualifiers

MANILA, Philippines - The various NSAs (national sports associations) hoping to send athletes to the 2016 Rio Olympics have started preparing their budget for their respective campaign.

So far, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco, a number of NSAs have already put a price tag on their qualifying bids.

And there’s one asking for P21 million.

“I’m not asking for a house,” Cojuangco said in jest.

But the POC chief said that if needed, the POC group will lobby before the PSC for additional funding for certain NSAs.

“We can stretch the budget. If we see that their athletes may need a little bit more, then we will help them appeal to the PSC for sufficient funding,” he said.

So far, more than a dozen NSAs have submitted to the POC names of 103 athletes whom they plan to field in different qualifying events starting this year.

These qualifiers, according to Cojuangco, will be costly for some.

The NSA heads were also told that if they need foreign coaches to beef up their Olympic drive, the PSC can also provide for them.

“If they need a foreign coach, they can hire one from now until the duration of the Olympics,” said Cojuangco.

“Even if we have to spend more, it’s okay. We can hire honest-to-goodness coaches who can impart