Thursday, December 14, 2006 Cash incentives await Siso
HER school may not be bursting into a frenzy for her return but her feat had earned adulation from other people that Cebu’s tennis superstar Sally Mae Siso, can expect a reward windfall when she comes home.
Siso, who represented the RP team, scored an historic four-peat in the Malaysia tennis circuit, winning six gold medals in the four-part tournament. Siso dominated the singles events of the Selangor, Penang, Perlis and Langkawi, and won two titles in the doubles events. She also had two silvers after runner-up finishes in two other doubles contests.
For her homecoming, Siso will be treated to a simple welcome by her school, University of San Carlos South Campus, according to principal Corazon Sasing, who has been understanding enough to allow Siso to skip classes in order to compete.
“We have not planned yet on an honorary welcome. As of now, we will just acknowledge her and her exploits in front of the school,” Sasing said. Ever the educator, Sasing is more concerned that Siso be able to catch up on the schoolwork she missed.
Plans
On the other hand, USC’s athletic director Fr. Vic Uy, however, has other plans for his tennis champ.
Siso’s feat had earned her the respect of others that she can expect cash incentives from her school and from the city and a free trip to Australia to compete in another international event.
“I will be proposing to the university president that we give her cash incentives. She will be recognized for sure and she will definitely receive an award,” said Uy, who had been very supportive of Siso’s trips. Uy, however, is still not sure how much the reward will be.
The city, on the other hand, behind the efforts of Councilor Jack Jakosalem, who heads the councils committee on sports, also promised to recognize Siso and give her cash incentives.
“I already drafted a resolution for the council’s session next week. This will be for Siso’s recognition and for cash incentives,” Jakosalem added.
Jakosalem added that there is a good chance that Siso will get the incentives since the city only prohibits giving incentives to athletes whose trip was paid for by the city.
Jakosalem, who is also one of the bigwigs of the Cebu City Sports Commission said they will be discussing another reward for Siso in the commission’s weekly meeting today.
There is no exact amount for the incentive yet.
Longtime sponsor Jonathan Guardo, on the other hand, had promised to bring Siso to Australia next year to compete in the Arafura Games.
“As my bonus for her feat, I will sponsor her trip to Arafura. I will shoulder her airfare,” Guardo said.
Guardo is in the midst of organizing a group for the Arafura Games in Darwin Australia. The Arafura is a multi-event sporting meet that attracts athletes from different countries. The athletes competing in the Arafura are supposed to shoulder their expenses. The Greater Cebu Sports Organizing Committee, however, is in the midst of raising funds in order to lessen the athletes’ burden. (MCB)
