‘NO MORE COMPASSION’

Angping: Only deserving athletes get funding

By Julius Manicad

04/20/2010

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping yesterday drew the line between compassion and service by staying true to his promise to support only qualified athletes while egging those who have failed to make the grade to improve their performance for them to qualify for assistance.

Some athletes have complained they are no longer receiving their allotted allowance from the PSC since Angping flowed heavy budget to elite athletes, or those tipped to win gold medals in the 2010 Asian Games. But Angping clarified only those who have failed to meet PSC standards were stripped from the list of qualified athletes continuing to receive support from the government sports agency.

Angping also remained firm athletes who have no capability of winning either in the 2010 Asian Games or the 2011 Southeast Asian Games will not qualify for PSC support.

Earlier this year, the PSC classified members of the national team into two groups — the elite team and those in the national pool. Those who made it to the elite squad are being given P20,000 monthly allowance and quarterly foreign exposure while members of the training pool receive P6,000 to 15,000 depending on their class.

Out of the nearly 500 athletes, only Olympians Miguel Molina, Marestella Torres, Ryan Arabejo, world champion Biboy Rivera and 10 others have made the elite team together with 267 athletes who qualified for the training pool.

The rest were formally dropped from the team, igniting an uproar among those who were stripped of their uniforms.

“Will I continue to close my eyes and give them allowance just because of compassion?” Angping asked. “Truth is some of them are already past their prime. They are no longer capable of competing or even win at least a bronze medal in the SEA Games.”

“Those who were left out were the same people complaining. They did not reach our benchmark, so they have to work hard before we give them consideration and reinstate their allowance and other incentives.”

Angping met members of the national team over the weekend to discuss how the PSC and its medical arm, the Philippine Center for Sports Medicine, could improve their food allotment.

“We have to reward those who are doing well,” he added. “We have to provide everything they need. In fact, I have already instructed our nutritionists to give them the right kind of food.”

The PSC is expected to bankroll a huge sum to keep the program afloat. In fact, it already allotted P350 a day to finance meals of the national team.

“It’s like betting on the lottery. It’s a double or nothing for me. It’s a very business-like approach.”

Back to top

For comments about this website:Webmaster@tribune.net.ph
The Daily Tribune © 2006