PSC guarantees full-support to PH athletes going to Tokyo Olympics

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) assured that every single Filipino athlete will get full support starting from the qualifying tournaments all the way to the Tokyo Olympics.

Under Republic Act 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, 596M pesos and 773M pesos were redirected by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the National Sports Development Fund from the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said that they will be vowing to support all Filipino athletes who will be competing and representing the country in the Tokyo Olympics.

“It’s a tough situation but we understand the priorities of the national government. We will do what we can to continue the support we give to our athletes especially those vying for an Olympic slot,” said Ramirez.

Before the country was placed in a lockdown due to the pandemic, national boxers Eumir Marcial and Irish Magno, gymnast Carlo Yulo, and pole vaulter EJ Obiena already booked their tickets for Tokyo.

Those who are still waiting for the next qualifying tournaments are Kiyomi Watanabe (SEA games champ in Judo), skateboarder Margielyn Didal, Taekwondo jin Pauline Lopez, and Junna Tsukii of karatedo.