All medalists of Team Philippines from the Asian Youth Games are set to receive monetary incentives and then some for their feat.
Monday brought double the celebration for the 24 medalists of Team Philippines at the 2025 Asian Youth Games after it was announced that they would be receiving monetary incentives for their feat.
None other than Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio and Philippine Olympic Commission President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced the incentives.
Team Philippines nabbed their best finish in the youth competition, finishing 10th place with seven golds, seven silvers, and 10 bronzes with only a 143-strong contingent across 19 sports in the multi-sport event in Bahrain.
Gregorio announced the incentives from the PSC and the national government, with the system tiered depending on their finish.
Gold medalists net PHP 500,000 while silver medalists will get PHP 300,000 each. Bronze medalists will also be going home with PHP 100,000.
“Talagang deserving… Talagang minonitor ko talaga itong AYG, sinubukan kong sumama kahit dalawang araw lang, pero hindi po talaga kaya.” said Gregorio.
Record-breaking finish
Meanwhile, the POC said that they are still finalizing the amount to be given to the medalists in a meeting to be held later this week. They also dangled brand new iPhone 17s courtesy of team sponsors for all the medalists.
For President Tolentino, it was an optimistic campaign. Though always aiming for success, he believes that it is a step in the right direction.
“This is very exciting. We beat the record. The last edition of AYG was two golds, and four silvers. That’s it… So, ngayon, nalampasan natin. Of course, 7-7-10. Maganda. Sobrang ganda. Pero sayang, naungusan tayo ng South Korea ng one bronze.” said Tolentino.
Among medalists who were present at the announcement on Monday at the East Ocean Place Restaurant in Pasay were MMA siblings Charlie and Travis Ratcliff, Athletics’ Pi Durden Wangkay, and weightlifters Princess Jay Ann Diaz, and Alexsandra Ann Diaz.
The two weightlifters are nieces of Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.