Hidilyn Diaz hullabaloo
The recent hullabaloo on Hidilyn Diaz is a clear lack of communication between her and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the national sports agency which has been funding trainings and giving allowances to national athletes like her.
Instead of going to the proper venue to raise her concerns, the 27-year-old Diaz, who brought home a silver medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics, went to social media and asked for financial support for her
Tokyo 2020 Olympics preparations.
On her Instagram story, she claimed to be having a hard time and that she needed financial support. Although she said being embarrassed to do so, the Zamboanga native added she will work up some nerve to win the country’s first Olympic gold.
This was caught by media and was then blown out of proportion since others insinuated that the government was remiss in meeting her needs and those of the other athletes.
Netizens were either bashing the government or Diaz no end. However, everything came to light when Dabawenyo PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez issued a statement DISCLAIMER: The views and commentaries made by columnists or authors in the Opinion Section, are protected by their Consitutional Right to freedom of expression and the press. However, their opinions and perceptions on the topics they discuss here are independently owned by the writers, and they DO NOT reflect the stand or position of the Editorial Board, and the Management, as a whole. that the PSC had already given her P4.5 million to fund her Hainan and Guangxi trainings in China. She also receives the highest monthly allowance from the PSC and a separate allowance from the Philippine Air Force as an enlisted personnel. She has free meals as among the privileges of all national athletes.
Her entire team of foreign coach, conditioning coach, and psychologist are also well taken cared of.Reports had it that PSC also pays for her condominium.
The cash windfall, by the millions, when she won in Rio and the incentives from the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and the Asian Games are more than she could ever wish for.
She’s fortunate that after visiting Ramirez Thursday, June 6, the latter still welcomed her like a father to a prodigal daughter as he reiterated the government’s continued support for her Tokyo 2020 stint.The PSC Board approved her two funding requests for her China training.
“We have pledged our support before, and we will continue to do so because we are focused on that Olympic gold as much as Hidilyn is,” the PSC chief said while Diaz committed to never quit on her Olympic quest.
It’s ironic though that the gym where she is currently training and the PSC office are all located inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila. She could have just walked up a few meters and met with the PSC Board if she really has some pressing concerns. But it seemed posting a story was far more convenient.