A MODEST cash rewards await Cebu’s top athletes like Mary Joy Tabal, separk takraw striker Rheyjey Ortouste, the softball playing Bacarisas clan of Punta Princesa or even judo champion Kyomi Watanabe should they continue to reap honors for the country in international comptitions like the Olympics, Asian and Southeast Asian Games.
This after the Cash Incentive Ordinance, which was proposed by councilor Jerry Guardo, has finally got the stamp of approval from the city council that would now require the city government to give incentives to Cebuano athletes, who will win a medals in these three events.
“The City Government of Cebu is dedicated to give priority to sports in order to accelerate social progress, inculcate health consciousness among the City of Cebu populace and promote total human liberation and development especially to the youth engaged in sports,” said part of Guardo’s ordinance.
After the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia last August, the city government handed cash incentives to Tabal, Watanabe, Ortouste, karateka James delos Santos and golfer Louise Kaye Go for bring a medal from their respective sport events through a resolution also filed by Guardo.
The ordinance however would insure that even Guardo is no longer sitting at the city council, athletes are assured of getting cash reward from Cebu City if they will bring home a medal.
“I am happy that my proposed ordinance was finally approved by the council as this will help motivate athlete to aspire for something higher. These Cebuano athletes deserve to be given reward and recognition for bringing home pride and honor to us Cebuanos,” Guardo told SunStar Cebu.
For the Olympics, a gold medal is equivalent to P1Million, P500,000 for a silver medal finish and a bronze medal P300,000. The Asian Games medal is P300,000; P200,000 and P100,000 respectively while P100,000; P50,000 and P25,000 are the cash incentives for Sea Games medallists.
The para-athletes will also receive the same amount of incentives as to the regular athletes. (RCM)