PSC to tap more foreign mentors

MANILA, Philippines - Budget permitting, the Philippines will tap the services of more foreign coaches to help the country in its quest for more medals in the international arena.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said this will be on top of their agenda once the PSC gets an increase in its financial support from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

“If we get the five percent of Pagcor’s monthly income, and not the 2.5 percent we are getting the past few years, then we can do a lot more for our athletes,” said Garcia.

“We can get the best foreign coaches and make our athletes compete abroad at least five times a year before the SEA Games or the Asian Games. We can give them the best equipment,” he added.

The PSC is pushing for the five percent allotment from Pagcor, and is seeking the help of Congress to achieve its goal.

Pagcor is the biggest donor to Philippine sports, with its monthly contribution of more than P40 million. Last Friday, Pagcor, through its president, Jorge Sarmiento, released P9.5 million in cash incentives to the Filipino medalists in the recent Asian Games.