BIBIGYANG-PUGAY ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) ang mga medalist sa katatapos na Vietnam 31st Southeast Asian Games bukod sa pag-anunsiyo sa paglalabas ng kanilang financial incentives sa idaraos na General Assembly ngayong araw — ang ika-6 para sa taon – sa Knights Templar Hotel sa Tagaytay City.
Ayon kay POC president Rep. Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino, iwe-welcome din sa General Assembly ang Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas at ang Philippine Esports Organization, bilang regular members ng organisasyon.
“Tops on the agenda is honoring our Filipino athletes who competed strongly in the Vietnam SEA Games,” ani Tolentino.
“The country may have relinquished the overall championship, but our athletes were a ‘fighting team’ in Vietnam.”
Ang mga Filipino athlete ay tumapos na fourth overall sa medals race na may 52 gold, 70 silver at 105 bronze medals— ang pinakamatikas na pagtatapos ng Pilipinas sa labas ng bansa — sa May 12-23 competitions na nadominahan ng Vietnam sa hinakot na 205 gold, 125 silver at 116 bronze medals.
Ang nakolekta ng host ay 40 percent ng 522 events na inilatag mula sa 40 sports kung saan pumangalawa ang Thailand na may 92-103-136 gold-silver-bronze at pangatlo ang Indonesia na may 69-91-81. Ang Singapore ay nasa fifth spot na may 47-46-43.
“Everyone knew beforehand that Vietnam will relentlessly dominate the games but still, our athletes still held their ground despite limitations in their training and preparations because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” sabi ni Tolentino.
“And to honor and recognize the athletes, the POC is rewarding them with incentives,” dagdag ni Tolentino, na pinamunuan ang POC Executive Board meeting noong Sabado sa East Ocean Palace Restaurant sa Pasay City.
“We’re hopeful that when the 32nd SEA Games are hosted by Cambodia in May 2023, our athletes will remain in gold medal form.”