By el Amigo
WHILE reports of delayed allowances raised concerns about the welfare of Filipino athletes, the Pilipinas Sepaktakraw delegation said it received financial assistance and logistical support well ahead of its campaign in the 2026 Asian Games.
Association president Karen Claire Tanchanco-Caballero shared her team’s experience during Thursday’s Senate Committee on Sports hearing in Pasay City, where government support for athletes became a key issue following revelations involving the men’s national volleyball team.
Tanchanco-Caballero said the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) had addressed her association’s needs before the delegation left for the regional sporting event.
She recalled being contacted as early as three weeks before departure to collect the allowances intended for athletes and officials.
“Mr. Chair, Pilipinas Sepak Takraw reiterates that our NSA received full support from PSC and POC during the 2026 Asian Games,” she said.
“In fact, spoiled nga kami kasi three weeks before we left, tinatawagan na kami na kunin niyo na ‘yung allowance ng mga atleta at mga opisyal na aalis,” she added.
The association also received offers from POC personnel to deliver the delegation’s kits, according to Tanchanco-Caballero.
Her account provided a contrasting perspective to the concerns raised by Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball captain Bryan Bagunas, who earlier said some players had gone without their regular allowances since July.
Bagunas disclosed that the delays had left some teammates borrowing money for transportation to training sessions. He nevertheless acknowledged receiving financial assistance from the PSC during the Asian Games.
The revelations prompted the Philippine National Volleyball Federation to apologize and led senators to examine how athlete funding was being managed.
Tanchanco-Caballero’s testimony underscored the importance of coordination among national sports associations, the PSC and the POC in preparing delegations for major international competitions.
For sepak takraw, the support was followed by podium finishes, with the Philippine team earning silver in the women’s event and bronze in the men’s competition.
POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino told the committee that his organization sometimes advances expenses while waiting for government funding to be released, a practice intended to keep preparations running without interruption.
The hearing was chaired by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go under Proposed Senate Resolution No. 674, which seeks to review the country’s Asian Games campaign and determine how athlete assistance can be improved for succeeding international competitions.
