Support for RP athletes pouring in

Commitment by government to sports development will not cease pouring into the training and preparation of national athletes for major international competitions.

Eric Buhain, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), assured this even as he cited the unceasing support to the agency from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), principal source of funding of the sports arm.

"The Pagcor, under the leadership of chairman Efraim Genuino, has been there behind the Filipino athletes," said Buhain. "And with it, we aim to supplement our programs to produce quality elite athletes, who will bring home more honor and prestige for flag and country."

Recently, the PSC has launched the "Go for Gold Medal in Athens!" (Go GMA!) Project, which is aimed at boosting the country’s chances of capturing the elusive Olympic gold medal in the 2004 Games in Greece this August.

Chairman Genuino for one, said Buhain, is thinking of ways to increase the Pagcor’s revenue in an effort to enhance its remittances to support Philippine sports, especially as the Athens Olympiad and 2005 SEA Games that the country is hosting draw closer.

"At this point, what is vital in the training and preparation of our athletes are their competition equipment and international exposures. And this is where assistance from government and the private sector come in extra handy," he said.

According to Buhain, government is and will do its very best in looking over sports development and the welfare of the athletes. "And we are very thankful to President Arroyo for her genuine concern for our national athletes and the development of local sports, in general."