THE Philippine Sports Commission has proposed a budget of over P546 million to the Department of Budget and Management to finance nine major competitions for Pinoy athletes next year.
Of the proposed amount, P250 million is intended for the country’s participation in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from May 2-16, 2023.
The sports agency is hoping the country can surpass its fourth-place finish in the Vietnam Southeast Asian games last May when Pinoy athletes compete in Cambodia, which is hosting the biennial games for the first time.
“We are hoping that the proposed budget will be approved by our country’s leaders. As a former athlete, the unwavering support of the government, along with the full backing of the Filipino people, are vital for our success,” said PSC Commissioner and Officer-in-Charge Bong Coo.
The PSC is also preparing for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China set Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 next year. A P100 million budget is being prepared for Asian joust.
During the 18th Asiad in Indonesia in 2018, Team Philippines won 4 gold, 2 silver, and 15 bronze medals.
The country is also eyeing to send national athletes to the 4th World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from October 5-14, 2023, with a proposed budget of P72.
Also set is 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Bangkok-Chonburi, Thailand slated Nov. 17-26 with a proposed budget of P67 million and the 2nd World Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia from August 5-17 with a proposed fund of P56 million.
The budget for the participation of Pinoy athletes in the Asean Para Games and Asian Para Games and two world-level competitions of FIBA and FIFA are still being finalized.
The PSC is confident para-athletes will continue to shine when they compete in the 12th Asean Para Games from June 3-9 in Cambodia and Hangzhou Asian Para Games from October 22-28.
Coo said the PSC is “happy and proud that our Filipino athletes have reached this level and are up against the best teams in the world and we support them in any way we can.”