Eumir Marcial says 43k-pesos allowance not enough for Olympics preparation

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

 

Tokyo Olympics-bound boxer Eumir Marcial became the talk of the town after responding to former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Aparicio Mequi’s statement regarding his monthly allowance.

Former PSC chair Mequi said, “The PSC didn’t stop giving him his monthly allowance of P43,000. He also reportedly gets P30,000 monthly as an enlisted personnel of the Philippine Air Force.”

But the prized slugger argued that 43,000 pesos is not enough to sustain his high-level training.

“Since last year nong nasa United States ako hanggang ngayon dito sa Zamboanga City tingin niyo sapat ang 43,000 pesos monthly allowance para sa preparation para sa Olympics?” Marcial wrote in his social media post.

The middleweight professional added that a huge cost is already allocated for plane tickets, accommodation, food, coaching staff, supplements, masseur, and etc.

Marcial even revealed that he used to cover up some expenses for his training in the US using his own money just to sustain it.

“Ngayon ang tanong ko sa sarili ko at tanong ko din sa inyo mahihina ba kameng mga Pilipinong atleta kung bakit hanggang ngayon walang nakakakuha ng gold sa Olympics o sadjang may problema na ang pag supporta galing sa inyo?!” Marcial asked.

As of now, the Philippine Sports Commission and former chair Mequi are yet to address Marcial’s comments.