Mike Arroyo offers to get more funds for sports

First Gentleman Juan Miguel Arroyo yesterday said he would do his part in obtaining funds for Philippine sports as he made the rounds of existing facilities at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex which had become the nerve center of activities with the Southeast Asian Games only two weeks away.

Accompanied by his first cousin, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Carlos Tuason, the First Gentleman reiterated his support to the development of Philippine sports, particularly those involving the youth.

"My cousin and I have been talking about this and I now realize the importance of sports that’s why I’d like to give it a boost, especially the youth because it’s part of my program. Instead of being addicted (to drugs), they should be addicted to sports," he said.

The First Gentleman also said that since funding seems to be the biggest problem of the PSC, he will do his best to have the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) lend its full support to the government sports agency.

"We will ask Pagcor to help and we’ll see what we can do. If we cannot get the funds immediately, we can ask Pagcor to give the funds in advance deductible according to schedule. That’s what we can do," he said.

Arroyo also said he would go to Kuala Lumpur to give the national athletes the morale boost when the 21st Southeast Asian Games unfolds Sept. 8 in the Malaysian capital.

"I’d like to be there and I’ll try my best to be there to egg on our athletes. I’ll make them kulit to win the gold," the First Gentleman, an avid golfer, told a small group of mediamen who went with him on his inspection tour. — Abac Cordero