IT APPEARS that star gymnast Carlos Yulo’s achievement has not only opened the door to insurmountable incentives, but has also increased the potential of Filipino athletes receiving more support in the future.
After winning two gold medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, discussions about providing equal support and funding to all Filipino athletes, particularly those in non-mainstream sports, have resurfaced in recent weeks.
Richard Bachmann, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) expressed his hope that the country’s sports will continue to succeed in international tournaments. One way to make this happen is to sponsor them.
More funding for sports
The PSC chairman remarked that the commission funds all sports based on their previous performance. Given that approach, gymnastics is projected to receive more money in the following year.
Bachmann said that gymnastics alone cost P31 million, while the Olympics have cost a total of P158 million since 2023. However, funds should be dispersed as they support 80 sports.
Photo Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines | Facebook
“By winning in the Olympics for gymnastics, it’s basically creating awareness that we also have a lot of sports that can actually win medals for us,” Bachmann said at the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum on Thursday.
“You know, we go to LGUs and we introduce sports. But most of the people only want to see basketball and volleyball.”
“But by winning in international competitions like the Olympics for gymnastics, for boxing, gives you a little awareness that a lot of kids can actually support other sports and become a national athlete,” he added.
Aside from that, the PSC chairman strongly believes that the country should return to business and continue to work. The plan also includes grassroots development and the renovation of sporting infrastructure.
A “balanced” approach
Given that Bachmann is a former basketball player, he acknowledged that basketball is the country’s favorite sport, but support for sports should be ‘balanced’.
“For basketball, the funding, it’s not really coming from the government. These are all from private corporations,” clarifies Bachmann, after the discussion on unfair fundings resurfaced online.
“But if the government and private corporations just can’t find the balance and realize that we can actually compete internationally in other sports, then we’ll all be all good. We just have to find the balance.”
PSC is also looking for measures to increase the exposure of all sports in the country. One approach is to include more of them in major collegiate leagues such as the UAAP and NCAA.
“I spoke with the UAAP and NCAA, it’s about time we grow our sports. It shouldn’t take to win a medal to introduce another sport in the UAAP and NCAA. We have 80 sports. How can we grow the popularity of sports when there are no events?”
Following a successful campaign at the Paris Games, PSC anticipates that the budget will be five or six times larger than last year. A budget that is adequate to meet the needs of all athletes, allowing them to prepare well.
