The Philippine Olympic Committee will stage the second edition of the POC Golf Cup to raise funds for the incentives of national athletes competing in the Paris Olympics.
POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said they are looking at raising P5 million in the friendly golf event that will be held on 13 March at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.
It’s going to be the second time for the POC to hold the event.
Last November, the local Olympic council was able to raise around P2 million in the tourney, which it used in rewarding the medalists of the 19th Asian Games.
This time, Tolentino is looking at doubling the amount as he will invite not just the POC officials, but also members of the House of Representatives and Senators.
“We will be holding the POC Golf Cup again on March 13. Hopefully, we could raise funds for the trust fund of the athletes that we will use for their incentives in the Olympics,” Tolentino said in an interview.
“It will be tough if we will solicit after the Olympics. That’s why I will he holding the POC Golf Cup Legislators Edition this March.”
Tolentino is very optimistic over the success of the fundraising project.
Aside from being the incumbent Tagaytay City mayor and former representative of the 8th District of Cavite, Tolentino’s daughter, Aniela, is a congresswoman while his older brother, Francis, is a senator.
So far, only four athletes have qualified in the Olympics in Ernest John Obiena of athletics, Eumir Marcial of boxing, and Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan of gymnastics.
The number of delegates will still increase as Tolentino expects more qualifiers from weightlifting, boxing, athletics, swimming, cycling and taekwondo.
Tolentino said he wants to motivate these athletes by giving hefty rewards to those who will emerge with podium finishes.
“Last edition, konti lang ang na-raise natin. Pero tinuloy pa din namin just to start this project,” he said.
“This year, being an Olympic year, we are looking at raising a minimum of P5 million. I think it will be enough to motivate them and give them something to look forward to when they compete in the Olympics.”
