We Heart Games

Manila, Philippines - Losing is not an option for the national athletes in the Philippine National Games.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Ritchie Garcia threatened on Monday to withdraw the allowances of athletes if they fail to dominate their respective events in the games set in Bacolod City on May 22 to 29.

“They will still be part of the national pool but we will hold their allowances once they perform poorly in their events,” said Garcia.

About 800 athletes in 40 sports are in the national pool and draw allowances from the the government sports agency.

Thirty-six sports will be played in the PNG, excluding basketball, boxing and men’s football, which all have ongoing competitions. The multi-sport event is open to all athletes hoping to land a spot in the developmental pool.

“They (national athletes) should never underestimate the opposition,” said Garcia. “This will serve as a test if they really belong to the national team.”

The multi-event competition would also serve as tryouts for prospective members of the national team in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia, Garcia added.

The PSC would recommend to the Philippine Olympic Committee the inclusion to the SEA Games-bound team of athletes who would outshine national pool members, he said.

Garcia said it would be the job of the national sports associations and the POC to select the members of the national team.