The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) announced that financial incentives for the 31st Southeast Asian Games medalists will be given within the week following its approval from the General Assembly Monday.
This marks the second time in the POC’s history after the Philippines 2019 edition that the body is rewarding medalists in the biennial meet.
There were 227 Filipino medalists in Vietnam broken down into 52 golds, 70 silvers and 105 bronzes, good for fourth place in the medals race the hosts won running away with a 205-125-116 tally.
“All medalists will be given a cash bonus within the week—after the POC has computed and audited how much sponsorships we received from major corporations,” POC President Bambol Tolentino said, adding that bonuses will be deposited to the athletes’ respective bank accounts.
The POC assembly also agreed to lift the persona non grata sanction on Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) head Philip Ella Juico.
This development came after the successful mediation between Juico and pole vaulter EJ Obiena early this year, which was the root of the sanction.
The POC assembly, Tolentino added, also confirmed the elevation to regular membership of the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas headed by Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino and the Philippine Esports Organization.
It also agreed to recognize the Philippine National Rugby League or Pambansang Ragbi Liga Ng Pilipinas.