PLDT Inc., its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), and the MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF) are supporting the move of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to establish an incentive trust fund for national athletes who successfully win medals in the Olympics, Southeast Asian Games, and Asian Games.
Following the successful performance of the Philippine team in this year’s SEA Games in Vietnam, POC said that donations from private corporations will automatically go to the incentive trust fund for the athletes.
Filipino athletes amassed 52 golds, 70 silvers, and 105 bronze medals at the end of the SEA Games, including the stellar feats of MVPSF-supported athletes like Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, multi-medaled gymnast Caloy Yulo, champion and record-breaking pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and the Smart-supported SIBOL esports team, among many others.
“PLDT, Smart, and MVPSF are one with the Committee in ensuring that our national team members have the assistance that they need to perform their duties well and worry-free,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT and Smart, and President and Trustee of MVPSF.
“As long-time supporters of Filipino athletes, we are eager to see this development inspire and motivate our players whenever they compete in the world stage,” added Panlilio, who is also the First Vice President of the POC.
Sports initiatives of PLDT, Smart, and other companies chaired by business leader Manuel V Pangilinan are centralized under MVPSF.
From basketball, badminton, gymnastics, weightlifting, esports and many others, the organization has been empowering 17 National Sports Agencies, backing hundreds of athletes, and contributing to nation-building through sports advocacy since 2011.
Through MVPSF, PLDT and Smart have also built several sports centers for training of Filipino athletes, particularly in gymnastics, badminton, and boxing.