40 athletes to receive scholarships

An initial batch of 40 national athletes are bound to receive scholarships from a reputable computer school when a memorandum of agreement (MOA) is signed among officials of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Philippine Amateur Athletes Federation Inc. (PAAFI) and Informatics.

The MOA signing is scheduled tomorrow, two days before the PAAFI celebrates its first year founding anniversary on Friday.

"We appreciate the support given to us by the PSC, now chaired by our former colleague, Eric Buhain, and Informatics computer school," said PAAFI president Leonora Escollante, an athlete and coach at the Philippine Canoe and Kayak Federation.

The scholarship package is initially worth P105,000. The PSC is bankrolling the scholarship of 30 athletes while Informatics has offered 10 slots.

The recipients, whom the PAAFI will call sportsskolar ng Bayan, will be selected by a screening committee to be created by the association, according to Escollante.

Besides the MOA signing which is a milestone for national athletes, the 800-strong PAAFI is also staging a trade show of sports equipment at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex area just in front of the Coaches and Athletes Lounge which Buhain will inaugurate this week.

The trade show, principally backed by the PSC, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and Finix Gym Equipment, will formally open 9 a.m. Wednesday. Among the exhibitors are Habagat Outdoor Sports Equipment, Tribu Sandals, Kix, PowerUp, Mizuno, Wilson, Sierra Universal, Milo, San Mig Light, Conquer Outdoor Equipment, Sandugo, Polar Watch and Ralco Commercial Trading.