Cash pot of P.6 million awaits each gold-medal winner

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino athletes will have 300,000 more reasons to shoot for a gold medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games unfolding Nov. 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino has promised to double the cash incentive that the national athletes are bound to receive from the Philippine Sports Commission for a gold in the biennial meet during Wednesday night’s send off for the Philippine team at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

A total cash incentives of P600,000 awaits a Filipino SEAG gold medalist since, by law, a gold in the biennial meet is equivalent to P300,000.

“In behalf of the POC, we will do our best to give cash incentives like what the PSC will give that is in accordance with the law,” said Tolentino during the send-off attended by the Filipino SEAG bets and the national contingent for the ASEAN Para Games in Clark in January next year.

Interestingly, Tolentino predicted a 180-gold harvest for the country, which would mean the POC coughing up at least P54 million if his forecast runs true.

There is a chance the amount could go higher since sports leaders are optimistic of a big medal haul, with one even forecasting a 220-gold harvest.

Expected to benefit from this the most is world champion gymnast Carlos Edriel “Caloy” Yulo, who is fancied to rake in six gold in seven events he is entered.

Other Filipinos who are sure to strike gold are Olympic silver medal winner Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, Eumir Felix Marcial and Nesthy Petecio of boxing, the track and field squad headed by Olympic-bound pole vaulter EJ Obiena and the powerhouse billiards squad headed by Efren “Bata” Reyes and Rubilen Amit among others.

The POC board has already approved the additional cash bonus.

Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Commission chair William “Butch” Ramirez cheered on the national athletes and asked them to do it for the country.

“This is a great opportunity of service to the Philippines, to show love of country and to inspire the Filipino youth,” said Ramirez.

Filipino sports icons Lydia de Vega-Mercado and Elma Muros-Posadas of athletics, Paeng Nepomuceno and Bong Coo of bowling, Eugene Torre of chess and Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco of boxing were present to inspire the present batch of athletes.

Philippine SEAG Organizing Committee head and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano was also there.