Coaches' cash bonuses on hold

MANILA, Philippines - Coaches of Filipino medalists in last year’s 26th SEA Games in Palembang and Jakarta, Indonesia will have to wait a few weeks before they could get their cash bonuses.

Guillermo Iroy, executive assistant to Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia, yesterday said they’re still completing the list of coaches duly certified by law to receive incentives for their feats in the biennial meet.

“There’s still a problem when it comes to that, most of the coaches have yet to get certification from their athletes to be eligible to get their incentives and they are many,” said Iroy. 

“But if they could complete their requirements, the PSC will release their incentives immediately,” he added.

The government’s sports-funding agency released before Christimas the incentives amounting to P8,060,000 to 350 athletes who won 252 medals in the biennial meet.

Among the top money earners were billiards double gold medalist Iris Ranola (P200,000), bowler Frederick Ong (P195,000), chess grandmaster Wesley So (P150,000) and fin swimmer Danielle Faith Torres (P150,000).

Winning coaches receive half of the amount received by athletes, or P4,030,000. A total of P2,050,000 will be given to coaches of gold medalists, P1,575,000 for silver medal winners and P405,000 for bronze medalists.