NSAs’ fund-raising for Beijing on

Officials of the 14 chosen sports that will hopefully carry the RP flag in the 2008 Beijing Olympics should start, if they haven’t started yet, looking for other sources of funding just in case the government fails to answer their needs.

This early, the Philippine Taekwondo Association under Robert Aventajado is making its move.

"We’ve started looking for other sources of funds," said Aventajado, whose athletes are among those considered to be the biggest hopes in the country’s bid to finally end its long search for the gold medal in the Olympics.

"Our government has its priorities and unfortunately sports is way down the list," said the former race car champion who is keeping his lines open with prospective sponsors, including Petron, a long-time patron of taekwondo.

The other sports placed under the RP Olympic program for 2008 are boxing, equestrian, diving, swimming, fencing, beach volleyball, rowing, shooting, archery, athletics, gymnastics, weightlifting and wushu (a demo sport in Beijing).

While some of these sports may find no difficulty looking for sponsors due to their popularity and track record, particularly boxing, the others may find it hard trying to convince and lure potential sponsors.

"It’s just a matter of acceptance," said Aventajado, chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Equestrienne Toni Leviste is banking on the support of Globe and Cebuana Lhuillier in her quest for an Olympic slot. In the past, boxing relied on Caltex in its preparations for major international competitions.

The Philippine Sports Commission, the government’s funding arm in sports, is trying its best to squeeze every centavo to cater to the needs of the different sports, including those not included in the Olympic program.

Chairman Butch Ramirez said the PSC has prepared a contingency fund for these sports, in case it fails to raise the P250 million needed to fuel the Olympic campaign from the private sector.

Ramirez said the PSC will also have to support the sports that were not included in the Olympic program since the 24th Southeast Asian Games in Thailand is scheduled for December.

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo was supposed to spearhead the fund-raising drive just as he did for the 2005 Manila SEA Games. But Mr. Arroyo recently underwent a heart surgery and was advised by doctors to rest for at least three months.

In the meantime, the PSC has promised to shoulder the expenses in the hope that the First Gentleman, through his own FG Foundation, will come in to help once he fully gets back on his feet.

It wouldn’t hurt either if officials of these different sports will start knocking on the doors of the private sector.