In a society where financial capabilities prevail, mere dedication is insufficient to excel as an athlete. An extensive support system and financial assistance are needed to achieve excellence, as these are the lifeblood that allows them to continue pursuing their passion.
Being an athlete is not a cakewalk. It is an uphill battle of physical and mental abilities to reach success. In every athlete's achievement, rigorous preparation, mental training, and stable financial support are necessary. In every competition, there is an attached labor and sacrifices to endure. These struggles, however, are heavily disregarded and neglected by the government in the Philippines.
Athletes unify Filipinos through sports, both locally and internationally. We love sports; we watch them together, yell and shout proudly during victories, and feel dismayed by their losses. However, that is not the case financially. A GMA News article in 2015 revealed that in 2011, the Philippine Sports Commission only received a 962 million. Compared to other countries, they allocated an equivalent of 14.37 billion (Singapore) and 7.3 billion (Thailand), which is ten times higher.
In the latest proposed budget, Senator Bong Go, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, observed that the proposed budget of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) only approved 200 million for the sports body in 2024. It is a mere 0.004% of the proposed national budget, which indicates that sports are less prioritized in our country.
Filipino athletes are no strangers to the ongoing challenges of inadequate funding, despite their pleas and strings of successes they contribute to the country they represent. Some even need to grind alone and use money from their pockets to seek honor. Some had to compete with each other to prove their worth, secure support, and scrap resources. Because, unfortunately, sports funding comes from a hefty amount that the government cannot afford.
At the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, athletes are not exempt from the challenging experience and have endured an unyielding lack of support from the university. In the recent PUP Office of the Student Regent Facebook post on January 12 regarding the consultation of athlete-scholars, the group still faces inconvenience and inadequacy. Some issues include delayed allowances, lack of medical support, insufficient facilities and ventilation, and inadequate water supply, which sometimes lead student-athletes to spend the night under the stage of PUP Oval.
From the back-to-back victories, medals, and recognitions that Filipino athletes bring to the groups they represent every year, it is apparent that we do not lack the talent or the determination to excel in sports on both the national and global stages. So, what went wrong?
Even successful athletes like the Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who has earned multiple medals from various international competitions, still find it challenging to secure intensive monetary support for her game and tried to ask for help on social media in June 2019.
“It is okay to ask [for] sponsorship sa mga private companies towards Tokyo 2020? Hirap na hirap na ko, I need financial support,” wrote in her Instagram story.
Additionally, boxer qualifier Irish Magno revealed that during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she couldn’t send money to her family as the PSC was two months late in giving their allowance. That is the bitter and challenging path that awaits student-athletes pursuing and competing professionally.
There needs to be more attention in prioritizing increased funds to support athletes for international competition. PSC’s funding relies heavily on the government. However, the lack of vision for sports in the country and initiatives on sports linkage and facilities development programs are given greater priority, affecting athletes due to the meager budget by the government. It aims for substantial output but only provides inadequate inputs, hindering the development of sports-related concerns.
It is not supposed to be that way. Support should extend beyond the game. The current system becomes an additional burden for the Iskolars, who are physically and mentally exhausted after lengthy hours of training. Limited opportunities should not constrain these athletes as it has the potential to demotivate them and hinder the development of skillful and successful individuals in the field.
Athletes are more than their success. They transcend mere weights of gold and certificates. We should discard the culture of neglecting their potential during their training phase but rush to join the ride of success and claim glory when they get recognition. Moreover, it is indeed ironic that Filipinos are highly active in expressing their opinions and do not hesitate to point out and blame someone. Yet, when it comes to the failure of our government to support the sports sector, everyone seems to be turning a blind eye.
We have witnessed that if given the opportunity, Filipino athletes can compete on a global scale. They can achieve more with a solid ground to stand on. They are already making names despite the additional weight they carry. Imagine what more they could achieve if they were fully supported, enabling them to aim even higher.
Furthermore, the struggles for all sports-related concerns are still ongoing. The continuous lack of support indicates the financial challenges and reflects the country’s economic situation. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had already vowed to support the national team more and to double the incentives they receive. However, the fights of everyone persist and have not ended because assurance alone remains illusory.
Sports unquestionably require more strategic initiatives and prioritization in our country. We should aim for a better system and assistance. The current situation should trigger us to strengthen the fights for the athletes' welfare and other sports issues and concerns. Additionally, remember that with dedication, there should be financial support to persist. Potential budding talents require consistent investment to thrive. Champions are not born; they are made.
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