After success of curling team, POC to request funding for winter sports | ABS-CBN
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After success of curling team, POC to request funding for winter sports
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 16, 2025 04:44 PM PHT
The Philippine men's curling team with POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino in Tagaytay City on February 16, 2025. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News
The Philippine men's curling team with POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino in Tagaytay City on February 16, 2025. Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will request for major funding for the country's men's curling team, following their historic triumph in the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China last Friday.
MANILA -- The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will request for major funding for the country's men's curling team, following their historic triumph in the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China last Friday.
The Philippine men's curling team brought home the country's first ever gold medal from the Asian Winter Games after their upset of South Korea in the final. It was also the first gold medal for a Southeast Asian country in the competition.
The Philippine men's curling team brought home the country's first ever gold medal from the Asian Winter Games after their upset of South Korea in the final. It was also the first gold medal for a Southeast Asian country in the competition.
The triumphant squad arrived home on Saturday night before facing local media at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay on Sunday.
The triumphant squad arrived home on Saturday night before facing local media at the Knights Templar Hotel in Tagaytay on Sunday.
"They were just recognized by the POC recently. If we meet the President, we will make a [funding] request to support their journey to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games," said POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.
"They were just recognized by the POC recently. If we meet the President, we will make a [funding] request to support their journey to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympic Games," said POC President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino.
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"They are paying their own expenses every time, and it's not a joke. So we really need that financial support to sustain and we're preparing for all the competitions, even the developmental stage," he added.
"They are paying their own expenses every time, and it's not a joke. So we really need that financial support to sustain and we're preparing for all the competitions, even the developmental stage," he added.
According to Tolentino, they also plan to request for more support for other winter sports, including the country's alpine skiers, figure skaters, snowboarders, freestyle skiers, short track speed skaters.
According to Tolentino, they also plan to request for more support for other winter sports, including the country's alpine skiers, figure skaters, snowboarders, freestyle skiers, short track speed skaters.
"They are training very hard to represent our country in these overseas competitions," he said.
"They are training very hard to represent our country in these overseas competitions," he said.
The curling team is entitled to receive cash incentives from the government or the Republic 10699 amounting to P2 million for the team for their massive accomplishments.
The curling team is entitled to receive cash incentives from the government or the Republic 10699 amounting to P2 million for the team for their massive accomplishments.
"We would like to thank everyone here for helping and supporting us in this journey. It's a great testament to show that we as a tropical country can play the sport and make success. We made everybody proud," said Christian Haller.
"We would like to thank everyone here for helping and supporting us in this journey. It's a great testament to show that we as a tropical country can play the sport and make success. We made everybody proud," said Christian Haller.
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The Filipinos had compiled a 4-1 record in the round robin phase, with their lone loss coming against South Korea, 1-6. They went on to stun the host nation China, 7-6, in the semis, before getting their revenge against South Korea in the gold medal match via a 5-3 result.
The Filipinos had compiled a 4-1 record in the round robin phase, with their lone loss coming against South Korea, 1-6. They went on to stun the host nation China, 7-6, in the semis, before getting their revenge against South Korea in the gold medal match via a 5-3 result.
The team is now hoping to make it all the way to the Winter Olympics in February 2026, set to be hosted by Italy. However, they are facing a rough road to the competition.
The team is now hoping to make it all the way to the Winter Olympics in February 2026, set to be hosted by Italy. However, they are facing a rough road to the competition.
They have two ways to qualify for the Winter Games: via a quota in the pre-Olympic qualifying event and the Olympic qualification.
They have two ways to qualify for the Winter Games: via a quota in the pre-Olympic qualifying event and the Olympic qualification.
"There are only two ways to qualify, and that's to be top three in the pre-Olympic and top two in the Olympic qualification," Curling Pilipinas President Benjo Delarmente said. "But I believe our players will fight for it just like they did in Harbin."
"There are only two ways to qualify, and that's to be top three in the pre-Olympic and top two in the Olympic qualification," Curling Pilipinas President Benjo Delarmente said. "But I believe our players will fight for it just like they did in Harbin."
For Secretary-General Jarryd Bello, chances are huge in the two qualifications right now. "If we beat China and South Korea, there's a chance to be on top of these two events. It is not impossible. In points allocation, it is impossible because we're far," Bello said.
For Secretary-General Jarryd Bello, chances are huge in the two qualifications right now. "If we beat China and South Korea, there's a chance to be on top of these two events. It is not impossible. In points allocation, it is impossible because we're far," Bello said.
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The Philippines ranks at 51st and only has 1.318 points – very far to world's No. 1 Sweden's 84.085.
The Philippines ranks at 51st and only has 1.318 points – very far to world's No. 1 Sweden's 84.085.
Ten nations each for men, women's and mixed doubles will get Olympic qualification where host Italy is part of it as host nation.
Ten nations each for men, women's and mixed doubles will get Olympic qualification where host Italy is part of it as host nation.
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