PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez yesterday renewed his appeal to various National Sports Associations to look for patrons and local government units that can support their bubble training due to the limited funds of the Philippine Sports Commission.
“We are encouraging them or even forcing them (the NSAS) to really look for hosts and sponsors (of their bubble training) because otherwise the PSC can’t support all these at this point,” Fernandez said yesterday during the Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum.
Fernandez, the national team chief of mission for the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games, referred to the 39 NSAs that will field athletes to the regional games set Nov. 21 to Dec. 2 in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi.
“I received an e-mail from the PSC NSA Affairs department today that 28 (NSAS) of them have submitted their budgets for their bubble training and medyo natakot ako at the expense,” the former four-time PBA MVP said.
“The budget for them alone totaled P184 million already and Congress just gave us P200 million for the country’s participation and training for the SEA Games. Magba-bangka na lang ba tayo or dragon boat going to Vietnam?” the PSC commissioner asked cheekily.
“We really need the NSAs need to step up and look for sponsors and local government units that are really willing to help them with their training facilities, billeting and food,” Fernandez said.
He added the PSC is “playing it by ear” because Vietnam, which has expressed its desire to postpone the Games to next year, is set to announce during the SEA Games Federation Council virtual meeting on Thursday whether it will push through with the meet or not.
“I know from the Philippine Olympic Committee that the announcement will be made on Thursday but I don’t know the exact details about it,” he said.
He bared that Cebu-based skateboarder Margielyn Arda Didal and weightlifter Elreen Ann Ando, who had qualified for the Tokyo Olympic Games, will have their allowances adjusted to the same level as the other Olympic qualifiers.
