Dragon Warriors to get PSC bonus?

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission is looking into the possibility of granting cash incentives to members of the Cobra Philippine Dragon Boat team that made giant waves in Tampa, Florida.

The Pinoy paddlers, who competed in the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships despite zero funding from the government, won five gold and two silver medals in the biennial event.

They found a way to get to Tampa through the sponsorship of Philippine Airlines and Cobra Energy Drink, both owned by business tycoon Lucio Tan.

The Filipinos made a lot of heads turn in Tampa, despite the absence of any support from the PSC, the government’s funding arm in sports, and the Philippine Olympic Committee.

But PSC chairman Richie Garcia yesterday said that the team, which falls under the Philippine Dragon Boat Federation, might get something as reward for their triumphant effort.

“We are checking if they are covered by 9064,” said Garcia, referring to Republic Act 9064, signed by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001. It is also known as the “Sports Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001.”

Under RA 9064, Filipino athletes and coaches who bring honors to the country are entitled cash incentives for every gold, silver or bronze medal won in the Olympics, Asian Games, SEA Games or any quadrennial World Championship.

Each gold is worth P5 million (Olympics), P2.5 million (World Championships), P1 million (Asian Games) and P100,000 (SEA Games). Each silver and bronze medal has a corresponding value.

The athletes must also fall under an NSA (national sport association) recognized by the POC. In this case, members of the Cobra Philippine team are not eligible, considering the other fact that the IDBF World Championships is held every two years.

“Most likely none for they are not recognized by the POC. But we are still checking,” said the PSC chief of the team, which also won gold medals in record fashion in the 2007 and 2009 stagings of the World Championships.

The IDBF is not yet a member of the International Olympic Committee, and because of this, the PDBF cannot be recognized by the POC, and cannot enjoy the financial support from the PSC.