The Philippine Sports Commission faces a very busy year as it bankrolls the country’s participation in nine major international competitions in 2023.
In its budget proposal to the Department of Budget and Management, PSC proposed a total budget of P546 million to finance the training and participation of the national athletes in five of the nine international competitions next year.
The highest portion, or P250 million, will be spent for the country’s campaign in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia from 2 to 16 May.
“We are hoping that the proposed budget will be approved by our country’s leaders,” PSC commissioner and officer-in-charge Bong Coo said.
“As a former athlete, the unwavering support of the government along with the full backing of the Filipino people are vital for our success.”
The PSC will also spend P100 million for the 19th Asian Games in China from 23 September to 8 October in a bid to surpass the country’s finish of four gold, two silver and 15 bronze medals in 2018.
The PSC is also eyeing to cough out P72 million to send the national athletes to the 4th World Combat Games in Saudi Arabia from 5 to 14 October, P67 million for the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand from 17 to 26 November and 56 million for the 2nd World Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia from 5 to 17 August.
As of press time, the PSC is finalizing the budget for the ASEAN Para Games and Asian Para Games as well as two other world-class competitions — the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The PSC also believes that the para-athletes will continue their success when they see action in the 12th ASEAN Para Games from 3 to 9 June in Cambodia and Asian Para Games in China from 22 to 28 October.
“We are 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,” Coo said.
