Netizens are divided over Olympic medalist Hidilyn Diaz’ now-deleted Instagram post asking for financial help to support her Olympic bid in Tokyo in 2022.
“Is it okay to ask sponsorship sa mga private companies towards Tokyo 2020? Hirap na hirap na ko, I need financial support,” the 28 year-old Diaz said on Monday.
Some netizens expressed sympathy to Diaz and called attention to the sorry state of Philippine Sports.
But the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) denied Diaz’ claims that the country does not send her financial support.
“For this year alone, the PSC has given almost Php4.5 million to fund her foreign trainings in Hainan and Guangxi in China, the agency is also paying for her foreign coach Kaiwen Gao’s monthly salary and food allowance. Her NSA’s request for funding for competitions was also approved. A new weightlifting gym has just been constructed in the RMSC after she called attention to the old gym they were using.” PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez said in a statement.
Diaz also receives one of the highest allowances among national athletes and receives money from the Philippine Air Force, officials said.
Some netizens also expressed disappointment on her move to ask for support.
“Baka sa milyung-milyong naibigay sa iyo puro luho lang pinagbibili mo kaya naubos agad,” one netizen posted on her IG account.
“Huwag masiyadong feeling at umasang entitled ka for unlimited financial support. Hindi lang ikaw ang atleta,” another said.
Other netizens however commented that they are proud of Diaz’ achievement. Some even told the athlete to look for ways and talk directly to private companies for sponsorship rather than posting it on social media.
