The 19th Asian Games are set to start on September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.
The RP National Team will have 395 athletes, entered in 37 of the 40 events.
What caught my attention was the news report by The STAR, written by our good friend Joey Villar, that 73 athletes, categorized as Class B, “would have to pay for everything — uniform, bags, airplane ticket and hotel expenses — while the rest, who are all Category A athletes, would be funded by the Philippine Sports Commission.”
I find this rule ridiculous!
If memory serves me right, athletes recruited from the provinces become members of the national training pool and eventually achieve the status as members of the national team. National athlete na. That’s it.
Now, here comes this “Class B” which I find very discriminatory.
I know this is sports and there is always the existence of “Classes” like the olden times but we have to change you know.
Okay, you have set the qualifications to be in the Asian Games. Fine. But to categorize them as “Class B” and for them to pay for the opportunity to represent our beloved country to an international competition is ridiculous.
Better set the rules very clear. You do not qualify, then you cannot go to the Asian Games. Period.
If you intend to send them as representatives of the Republic of the Philippines as national athletes, they should be treated like diplomats.
Will you send a Filipino diplomat to a posting abroad at their own expense? Of course not!
What will our Asian neighbours say when they know about this?
Ulaw, di ba?
I am not sure if this has reached the ears of President Bongbong Marcos, and by the way, belated Happy Birthday Mr. President.
This should not happen in the first place Apo President BBM.
National athletes are national athletes.
They should not spend their own money to represent the Republic of the Philippines!
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For comments, email mpb_sports@yahoo.com.
