Sports
Ramirez insists PSC “has been very supportive” of Diaz
OLYMPIC GOLD HOPEFUL. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz seeks government support to fully train in her bid to possibly snatch the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo next year.
Diaz won a silver medal, the country’s first silver in 20 years, in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. (File photo via PNA)
MANILA — Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez on Tuesday clarified that the government’s sports arm has yet to miss on its commitment to Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz.
This after Diaz took to Instagram a call to support her bid in the next Olympiad in Tokyo next year.
“The government has been very supportive,” Ramirez said.
Diaz said on her social media handle that she needs financial support, even saying, “Try ko kapalan mukha ko para sa minimithi kong pangarap para sa ating bansa na maiuwi ang Gold Medal sa Olympics. (I will not be ashamed so that I achieve my dream to bring home Olympic gold medal).
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But according to Ramirez, she is among the highest paid national athletes as far as allowances are concerned.
The PSC bared that it already spent PHP4.5 million for her China training and has also given a lot to Chinese coach Gao Kaiwen.
Ramirez also said the Philippine Air Force, where Diaz is an enlisted personnel, is supporting her as well as some other private companies.
“I do not think government was remiss of its support to Hidilyn. Despite what it seems, we at the PSC choose to see her for what she is, a champion we will support on her dream to achieve more,” he added.
Ramirez said he is open for a dialogue with Diaz to finally settle and address her concern.
