Every SEAG gold would be worth P2M

Close to P2 million for every gold medal.

Based on the budget reportedly approved by President Arroyo and the gold medal prediction of the country’s top sports leaders, this is basically how much each gold medal in the forthcoming Vietnam SEA Games would be worth for the Philippine government.

The President, in a big show of support to the coming RP campaign, the other day was said to have approved a huge P111 million budget for the actual participation of the 449 athletes and 209 officials in the biennial event scheduled Dec. 5 to 12.

The amount was even bigger than the P90 million requested by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). It will be used for the transportation, accommodation, allowances, uniforms and equipment of the RP delegation.

Therefore, the national government will have to spend P168,693 for each member of the delegation that will try to surpass the RP haul of 31 gold, 65 silver and 67 bronze medals for fifth place during the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

The PSC, under chairman Eric Buhain, and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), led by Celso Dayrit, have predicted 40 to 60 gold medals for the Philippines in Vietnam as it gears up for the hosting of the regional competition in 2005.

And since it’s the gold that really counts, a 40-gold output would be worth P2.775 million each while a 60-gold output would be worth P1.850 million each.

Therefore, anything more than 60 golds will be great, but anything less than 40 will be disaster.

In last year’s Busan Asian Games, the government spent close to P150 million for a haul of three gold (billiards, bowling and equestrian) and a handful more silver and bronze medals.

The budget for the Vietnam Games, according to PSC executive director Ed Mateo, is now with the Department of Budget and Management under Secretary Emilia Boncodin and is expected to be released in the next few days.

"We’re just grateful for President Arroyo’s undying support for the athletes and for sports in general," said Buhain on the budget approval.