Olympic bets to get all-out support from PSC

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine Sports Commission will spare nothing to support all the 15 Paris Olympics-bound Filipino athletes, and possibly more.

PSC chair Richard Bachmann said his agency has P8.9 million left of the P52 million allocated for the country’s Olympic campaign – from preparation and participation in qualifying windows and competition proper to plane tickets, uniforms and gears.

“From the P52 million, we spent P43 million, and P8.9 million is left to support our Olympic-bound athletes,” said Bachmann. “Kung kulang man, I’ll look for money from our NSDF (National Sports Development Fund).”

A total of 15 Filipinos have booked Paris tickets including five boxers in Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, Aira Villegas and Hergie Bacyadan and four gymnasts in Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo.

Also bound for Paris are pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando, rower Joanie Delgaco, and fencer Sam Catantan.

And Bachmann is expecting more, possibly in athletics, judo, shooting and swimming among others.