Philippine Sports News and Updates

The 38 gold medal winners in the 25th Laos Southeast Asian Games are expected to receive cash rewards for all their hard work in the two-week long biennial meet in Vientiane.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will prepare the financial incentive under Republic Act 9064 (Athletes and Coaches Incentives Act), which allots P100,000 to all SEA Games gold medalists.

But PSC chairman Harry Angping increased it to P300,000 with P100,000 coming from the PSC’s savings and the other P100,000 from the private sector.

“As promised, the PSC will give an additional P100,000 on top of the P100,000 provided by the Incentives Act and the P100,000 coming from the private sector," said Angping.

The PSC is expected to spend P11.4 million for the incentives of the gold medalists alone. Under the law, silver and bronze medalists will receive P50,000 and P10,000, respectively.

The windfall is the biggest in the history of the 19-year old agency for the SEA Games.

“Overall, it was a great experience for everyone who competed in Laos. In any international event, the interaction with all participants and people of the host as well as the experience earned cannot be undermined," said Angping.

“I congratulate the government of Laos for the successful hosting of the event and Ambassador Marilyn Alarilla and his staff for taking care of our athletes while they were there," the PSC chairman added.

Swimmer Miguel Molina is expected to receive more than P600,000 after winning two gold, three silver and one bronze medal while cue artist Rubilen Amit and netter Cecil Mamiit will take home P600,000 apiece for winning two gold medals.

“In retrospect, I am very overwhelmed with the accomplishments of our athletes. They have performed beyond my expectation. Pinakita nila na ang atletang pinoy ay di aatras sa anumang laban," Angping ended.

• GMA
• Philippine Sports Central