National athletes, coaches to receive P10,000 Christmas bonus

National athletes and coaches will have a very merry holiday season as they stand to receive P10,000 each as Christmas bonus from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

No less than PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez bared the good news on Monday saying national team members deserve the gratuity for a successful year highlighted by the country’s historic Tokyo Olympics feat amid the pandemic.

“It’s the government’s way of saying thank you to our athletes and coaches for a job well done,” said Mr. Ramirez.

Truly, the year produced many highs including the feat of weightlifter HidilynF. Diaz delivering the country’s breakthrough Olympic gold medal in the Tokyo Games last August.

It was also the most productive performance by far by the country in the quadrennial event as it also raked in a couple of silvers and a bronze courtesy of boxers NesthyA. Petecio, Carlo Paalam and Eumir Felix D. Marcial, respectively.

PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez, who is also the country’s chefdemission in the Hanoi Southeast Asian Games set in May next year, for his part, said he expects all the national teams to resume training on Jan. 10 at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig.

“We’ve instructed all NSAs (national sports associations) to submit their lineups as early as November to avoid delay,” said Mr. Fernandez. —Joey Villar