Binay files bill to fund young athletes

Senator Nancy Binay has sought passage of a measure that seeks to provide young athletes financial incentives and assistance to encourage them to join sports programs at the national level starting with the opening of three funds – “Get Started,” “Get Going,” and “Get Playing.”

Binay, in filing Senate Bill No. 1740 or the proposed “Young Athletes Assistance Act,” said it is necessary that young players are given sufficient motivation to join sports clubs and programs that would develop their skills.

“The future of any national sports program lies in the development of their young athletes. The most successful countries in the Olympics were able to showcase outstanding performances in view of the fact that their gold winning athletes were trained, nurtured and developed in their specific events at a young age,” Binay said in the explanatory note of the measure.

The bill seeks the creation of three separate funds for the strengthening of grassroots sports programs to be administered by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Young athletes wanting to be part of a sports club can avail of a voucher of up to P3,000 to help pay for participation fees under the “Get Started in Sports” fund. The vouchers can be redeemed at a sport or recreation club registered with the program.

On the other hand, the Get Going Fund aims to support local sports and recreation organizations with funding of up to P50,000 for projects that create opportunities for more young athletes to become members.

Meanwhile, participating sports facilities would be given P500,000 under the Get Playing Fund to assist them in local sports and recreation organizations with facility development so more young athletes are encouraged to become involved in sport or recreation activity of their choice.

Binay said a fund of P80-million shall be set aside annually from the revenues of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) for the implementation of the proposed law.