FG to raise P100M for SEAG bets

The "Medalyang Ginto, May Laban Tayo" project initiated by the First Gentleman Foundation to raise no less than P100 million to help augment the funding requirements of the Filipino athletes’ preparations for next year’s Southeast Asian Games.

This was revealed yesterday by the three members of the "Medalyang Ginto, May Laban Tayo" executive council during the SCOOP sa Kamayan weekly session.

"If last year’s project succeeded in raising P22 million benefiting only 85 athletes, our goal this year is to generate at least P100 million. We just multiply by four the money that we raised last year and we will arrive at that amount," Ricky Lagoc, a representative of the Philippine Sports Commission to the council, said.

"Lagoc said the 345 athletes so far recommended by the different national sports associations as expected beneficiaries can be expanded to 400-450 with the addition of seven more sports in the calendar.

"The 345 was based on the 34 sports the SEA Games Federation earlier approved. Ngayon 41 sports na ang paglalabanan, so we expect that number to increase," said Lagoc, who along with Nestor Ilagan and Abby Rivera, were guests at the session sponsored by Photokina Marketing and Triple V chain of restaurants.

Ilagan, who represents the Philippine Olympic Committee in the council, clarified that those initially recommended are not sure of enjoying the benefits as their final inclusion will depend on their performances from now up to the time the final composition of the national delegation is determined.

"The initial passed the criteria set by the seven-man council. May mga atletang maaring bumaba ang performance at mayroon naman pwedeng mag-improve. Kaya depende sa future performance nila kung mananatili sila sa listahan o matatanggal," Ilagan said.

The criteria, he added, is gold medal performance in last year’s Games in Vietnam or their equivalent in other international competitions outside of the biennial meet.

Lagoc added that the funds to be raised are aimed at augmenting the budget of the PSC for international exposure.

"The project as envisioned by First Gentleman Mike Arroyo is to help in our bid to win the overall championship. In other words, if the PSC is capable of sending our athletes to two or three international tournaments, with the Medalyang Ginto, May Laban Tayo project we will be able to send to two or three more," he pointed out.

Lagoc disclosed that the pledging session, originally scheduled sometime this month, has been postponed to December.