ASIAN Games weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz is set to receive a P2-million financial package to support her training and qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Phoenix Petroleum signed a memorandum of agreement sealing the support for Diaz on Thursday in Malacañang.
Diaz said she is very grateful for the support, adding that it is every athlete’s dream to compete in the Olympics.
Diaz clinched silver in weightlifting in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics ahead of her Asian Games gold in Jakarta last year.
“For me, it’s a big thing to be in the Olympics and there is a lot of competitions that I need to take part in for my preparation toward the Olympics. It’s a tough task but I have a core team and I am so grateful for the help, for the supporting team,” Diaz told reporters.
Besides the initial P2 million, Diaz will also receive P48,000 monthly allowance from PSC apart from housing, food and foreign-training allowance.
To recall, Diaz appealed for financial support through social media to support her qualification for the 2020 Olympics.
Phoenix Petroleum President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Uy, together with Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go, PSC Chairman William Ramirez and Phoenix Vice President Raymond Zorilla witnessed the signing ceremony.
Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Sports, said he initiated the drive to help Diaz by linking her with Phoenix Petroleum.