MANILA – The national rowing team starts its campaign in the 2021 World Rowing Asian-Oceanian Olympic Qualification Regatta in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday with a “thank you” to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) for supporting their efforts for Olympic slots.
PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez said he hopes for more qualifiers from the national team and assured that “the PSC will give all-out support for our athletes no matter the present situation, for as long as we can.”
“Salamat po sa PSC sa pagsuporta at pagtitiwala sa amin. Regular po ang online consultations namin sa sports psychology and sports physiology (Thank you to PSC for supporting and trusting us. We have regular online consultations with sports psychology and sports physiology),” Melcah Jen Caballero said in a news release.
Caballero thanked the PSC for constantly strengthening their mental health, through the agency’s Medical Scientific Athletes Services (MSAS) units.
Five rowers will vie in three events – Caballero and Joanie Delgaco in the women’s lightweight women double sculls, Zuriel Sumintac and Roque Abala in the men’s lightweight double sculls, and Cris Nievarez in the men’s single sculls – from May 5 to 7.
Rowing coach Edgardo Maerina gave his own expression of appreciation to the sports agency.
“Diresto ang suporta at monitoring nila sa amin. Hindi man naging madali ang preparations, motivated ang mga athletes natin (They [PSC] continue to support and monitor us. The preparations are not easy, our athletes are motivated),” said Coach Maerina, the first Filipino to compete in Olympic rowing in 1988.
The team’s hotel accommodation, allowances, and airfare amounting to more than PHP1.4 million were covered by the PSC.
This includes the additional support covering the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests upon entry to Tokyo, and accommodation assistance on their return to the country.
All competing and non-competing national teams are continuously monitored by the PSC’s medical units. (PR)
