Philippines is packed for the 2022 competitions which include the Winter Olympics in Beijing (February 4-20), Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Thailand, (March 10-20), Asian Games in Huangzhou (September 10-25) and Asian Youth Games in Shantou, China (Dec. 20-28).

And just a week ago, the Congress and House of Representatives gave an assurance that the POC would receive a budget for training and competition costs.

In order to prepare and cater to the need of the Filipino athletes, POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino submitted the request to Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III through Senate Committee on Appropriations Chair Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

The request demands P5 million for the Winter Olympics in Beijing, P150 million for the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Thailand, P10 million for The World Games (TWG) in Birmingham, Alabama, P270 million for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, and P15 million for the Fifth Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Shantou, China.

The other P200m will be used this October if Vietnam continues hosting the 31st Southeast Asian Games this October, and if not, the remaining funds will fall into the National Treasury.

“Participation in these high-level sports events is truly significant as these are held only every four years,” Tolentino said in the letter of request dated Monday. 

“Not only will joining these sports events showcase the Filipino brand of athletic talent, but more so elevate the morale of our athletes and inspire other young Filipinos to engage in sports training and development.”

Tolentino said that the requested budget was hinged upon the number of participating athletes and the events they will compete with.

As of now, POC expects 250-275 Filipino athletes for Asian games, 160 athletes for AIMAG, AYG with 15 to 20, and the Winter Olympics with three to four athletes.

However, delegates in Asian Games would depend on the athletes’ performance in the AIMAG.

With this budget allocation for participation, it “would sustain the momentum that Filipino sports gained from the Tokyo Olympics,” said Tolentino.