NATIONAL boxing coach Pat Gaspi believes the country’s budget for sports, at least in boxing, should be concentrated on a long preparation for a big international event, particularly the Olympic Games.

Gaspi said that in his experience, enough funds come only when the battle for sports supremacy nears.

“Nagkakatalo lagi sa budget [The difference is the budget],” said Gaspi in a radio interview. “Naranasan namin na iyong sapat ang budget sa boxing. Minsan sumusobra pa. [We experienced times where we had enough budget. Sometimes, it even goes over].”

“Ang kaso lang, sumasapat lang kapag lumalapit na ang laban. Kapag preparasyon, doon kinukulang [The problem is the budget comes when the competition nears. During preparation, the budget is not enough],” said Gaspi.

Gaspi’s ward, light-flyweight Harry Tańamor, got booted out in the first round in his quest for an Olympic gold in the recent Beijing Games.

“Medyo nahihirapan kaming magpaliwanag sa sambayanang Pilipino na umaasa na makakapag-uwi kami ng medalya. Tinatanggap po namin ang mga puna [We are having a hard time explaining to the Filipino people what happened. We accept all their comments],” said Gaspi.

Gaspi said the national junior pool is already preparing in Baguio for the coming international events, including the 2010 Youth Olympics in Singapore. The junior team is slated to compete in an international competition this October, he added.

The senior national training pool is also preparing in Baguio in time for the 2009 Southeast Asian Games in Laos.

‘Proper budget from Pagcor is problem’

MONEY continues to be the biggest problem in developing Philippine sports, according to the country’s Olympics chief of mission, Rep. Monico Puentevella.

Funding for sports comes only when event nears, say boxers

NATIONAL boxing coach Pat Gaspi believes the country’s budget for sports, at least in boxing, should be concentrated on a long preparation for a big international event, particularly the Olympic Games.

Chiz wants stronger PSC control over funding and support to NSAs

SEN. Francis “Chiz” Escudero yesterday proposed the adoption of a merit system in determining government support for national sports associations (NSAs), saying the creation of a long-term monitoring system on the performance of Filipino athletes would help determine their real medal chances in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

‘Special treatment’ for top two?

WITH five days left before the annual Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft, two players who are projected to go 1-2 have yet to submit the required papers to be able to join the activity this Sunday at the Market! Market! Mall in Taguig City.

SBP asks to host 2011 Asian joust

MACAU—The Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) has offered for the country to host the International Basketball Federation (Fiba)-Asia Championship in 2011, which also serves as the continental qualifying for the London Olympics the following year.

To dream or to redeem?

Both teams came into their respective Olympics with real issues.

In 1992 the Dream Team had to deal with the stigma of the ’88 team’s loss to the Russians in Seoul, South Korea.

Ask Coach E: Sandlot basketball, anyone?

Philippine basketball is unique not only in the manner we play it, but also in the places in which we play it.

I guess that no place in the world can rival the Philippines when it comes to basketball on the streets, or sandlot basketball.