MANILA, Philippines ? Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao sweetened the pot for the country?s first Olympic gold medal, dangling an additional Php5 million to the athlete who can pull off the feat next year in Rio.
?Pledge ko next year pag may naka-gold, limang milyon. Kung sino ang maka-gold in any sport sa Olympics,? Pacquiao told reporters after giving an inspirational talk to attendees of the Sports For All Seminar at Philsports Arena.
Pacquiao?s pledge doubles the bonus a gold medalist stands to receive from Republic Act 9064 or the sports incentives law, which earmarks Php5 million for the achiever.
Pacquiao, the second highest-paid athlete according Forbes Magazine, hopes the extra windfall will give an added boost to the Olympiad-bound bets.
?Wala pa tayong gold sa Olympics, di ba? Siguro next year,? said the Pacman.
Pacquiao mingled with coaches and athletes participating in the four-day sports science seminar, urging them to ?keep a positive mind? and believe in God. Sportshub ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1
?Kailangan focus kayo, be determined and always think positive. Wag kayo mag-iisip na hanggang dito lang ako, hindi ko na kaya, that?s the mind of a defeatist, of a loser,? Pacquiao told them.
Wearing a Team Philippines jacket given by the PSC, Pacquiao gamely posed for photo and when he was helping out pick the winner of raffle items, announced impromptu he was giving away P100,000 in cash prizes to 10 winners.
Pacquiao also signed two posters that will be on exhibit at the PSC Sports Museum, along with old gloves.
PSC chairman Richie Garcia said the museum will have a dedicated corner for the eight-division world champ.
Pacquiao joined the lobbying for more funding for Filipino athletes.
?Sang-ayon ako na magdagdag ng budget sa sports kasi kailangang kailangan. Gusto nating magkaroon ng gold at magagaling na atleta pero we need to support them. Magkasama yan, suporta at determinasyon,? he said.
Pacquiao stressed that having sports heroes will also help the country tourism-wise as it helps ?promote the Philippines? and ?draw investor interest.?
