THE Philippine Sports Commission will put on hold its plans to suspend help to all national sports association with unliquidated financial assistance until after the 29th Southeast Asian Games.
Executive director Carlo Abarquez said this will be done to ensure the success of the Philippines’ campaign in the Games.
“To ensure the support of the PSC and the Philippine government, we will relax the rules until August,” said Abarquez in a press conference yesterday.
So far, requests for assistance from NSAs have reached P59.730 million, with archery, cycling and sailing seeking the most help.
Archery is asking for P11.425 million, while cycling athletes need P7.733 million. Sailing requests P6.59 million.
The agency is set to provide support to 733 athletes, coaches and officials who have been listed to go the Games.
From the list, there are 487 athletes, which is 25 percent of the delegation.
Chef de mission Cynthia Carrion believes that the Philippines can make it to no. 4 or at least no. 5 in the overall medal race.
“We cannot be kulelat anymore. I cannot accept it,” said Carrion.
So far, the joint Philippine Olympic Committee-PSC task force is 95 percent done in its effort to identify the athletes, who will go to the games.