The Philippines’ six Paralympians headed for the Tokyo Paralympic Games won’t be alone in their campaign as two sports psychologists will join them on their trip to Japan on Aug. 22 in order to help the differently-abled athletes perform better.
For added motivation, the Paralympians have been listening to inspirational talks from Tokyo Olympics gold winner weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, silver medalist boxers Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, and bronze achiever Eumir Marcial.
To help them enjoy their participation, the Philippine Sports Commission tripled the allowances that they will get for the duration of their campaign in the 13-day Paralympics that begins on Aug. 24.
“Katatapos lang ng Olympics at nagtagumpay sila para sa bayan. Hopefully, masusugan ito ng mga ambag ng ating mga para athletes,” said Philippine Para Games chef de mission Francisco Diaz.
The Philippine para delegation is composed of swimmer Gary Bejino, an amputee who lost his right arm and leg at age seven after being electrocuted. With them are right arm amputee Allain Ganapin (taekwondo), Jerold Magliwan and Janette Acevedo (athletics) and Ernie Gawilan (swimming).
Polio survivor Achele Guion will once again join the Philippine delegation. Guion was the last to join after she was given an slot via the Bipartite Commission Invitation Allocation Method. The allocation, according to the rules, is not based on ranking or performance in competition and is given to athletes who did not have a chance to qualify through the regular route.
Motivational talks with Diaz, Petecio, Paalam and Marcial have been going on for days with the six para athletes.
Gymnastics’ star Carlo Yulo and skateboarder Margielyn Didal have also joined in to help the differently-abled athletes get a feel of what’s ahead of them.
To help the athletes get mentally prepared for the respective events, sports psychologists Marcus Manalo, who helped keep the Filipino boxers sharp and motivated during the Olympiad will take care of the male athletes.
Dr. Marissa Guinto, an associate professor and research director at the University of the Philippines, will be around to take care of the mental well-being of the female athletes.
PSC chairman William Ramirez, speaking to the national delegation on Zoom yesterday, surprised delegation members by tripling their travel allowance.
From P50,000, the PSC has approved an added P100,000 more, bringing their total travel allowance to P150,000 when they leave for Japan next week.
“Just enjoy the game. Iyung pagpunta niyo doon, kasama niyo ang 11-million Filipinos na ating mga kababayan,” said Ramirez.
According to reports, the Tokyo Paralympics will most likely have no spectators, just like the Olympics, as coronavirus cases continues to rise in Japan.
For one, the Tokyo metropolitan area is still under a COVID-19 state of emergency.