PSC seeks help from private sector

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will seek the help of government and private sector for the national team seeing action in the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games set May 12-25.

PSC commissioner and SEA Games chef-de-mission Ramon Fernandez yesterday said the P121 million they have right now would not be enough to fund the country’s campaign in the biennial meet even though Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino downsized the team composition to 584 athletes from 627 Friday.

To finance the campaign, which includes training and actual participation, Fernandez is looking at a warchest of P150 million to P200 million.

“We will see where we can source out the others. With the help of Rep. Bambol (Tolentino), maybe we can request contingency funds from the Department of Budget and Management,” said Fernandez in an interview with Noli Eala’s Power and Play at One PH.

The basketball legend said they would also ask airline companies to give the national team a discount.

“We’re hoping to get support from the private sector. We’re trying to talk to airline companies who could help us by giving us a good deal,” said Fernandez.