PLANS continue to take shape on efforts to raise funds to support the campaign of an elite group of athletes, who will pursue qualifying slots to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Businessman-sportsman Dennis Uy has been tasked to do this job under a program known as “Siklab 2020.”
Philippine Sports Commission chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and Philippine Sports Institute head and national training director Marc Edward Velasco have gone into discussions, with Uy over this.
And now, officials of the PSC are now working to identify and finalize a list of 28 athletes, who can be included in the program.
“We will support from life support, to coaches and training, for them to qualify (for the Olympics,” said Ramirez.
Initially on the roster is Mariya Takahashi, who topped the women’s under 70 kg judo event, in the recent 2017 Southeast Asian Games.
Her name has been part of a long list of athletes the PSC is considering to support.
During the Games, the 16-year-old Fil-Japanese judoka overcame defending champion Surattana Thongsri of Thailand, winning by ippon in 48 seconds.
Velasco said he is closely monitoring those who are in his long list of candidates.
Ramirez said they will consult the national sports associations, which will help the PSC in the process of identifying the athletes, who deserve such support.
Also included in the list of sure bets are weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, trackster Trenten Beram and gymnast Kaitlyn de Guzman.
