POC chief seeks additional fund for Olympic bets

MANILA, Philippines — Given all the boost needed, the Philippines could end its search for a first-ever Olympic gold medal in Tokyo next year.

“Tokyo could be that host city where the country could win not one, not two but probably more Olympic gold medals in 2021,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino.

“And along this line, the athletes need all the support in their bid to accomplish what has never been achieved before,” he added.

The Tagaytay congressman, however, stressed the importance of financial support, thus, his appeal for an additional P510 million war chest from the government for elite sports for next year where Filipino athletes are bracing not just for the Tokyo Games but also for the qualifying tournaments as well as the Southeast Asian Games and Para Games in Hanoi, Vietnam.