PSC Chairman William Ramirez said the agency will hold consultancy meetings with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the national sports associations to determine which sports will be given more tham ample funding in line with the country’s bid to make an unprecedented showing in the 15th Asian Games is scheduled Dec. 1 to 15 in the capital city of Doha.

"By February, we would be able to identify the sports and even the places where they are going to train in the month of March," said Ramirez, who had a morning meeting with First Gentleman Mike Arroyo.

The First Gentleman’s Foundation will again play a key role in the athletes’ preparation as Ramirez bared that Mr. Arroyo, who chairs the foundation, is keen in giving the "same amount of passion" to the Philippines’ campaign in the Asiad.

"Sir Mike said he will lend a hand," said Ramirez, refering to Mr. Arroyo’s efforts last year that resulted in the country’s successful staging and performance in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games.

Ramirez said that the FG Foundation will likely hold another pledging session next month to help raise funds just like last year when Mr. Arroyo amassed over P160 million from the country’s top private corporations which later were given the label as the sports Godfathers.

"There are a lot of things that will happen in the next few months," said Ramirez, who is in his first year as chairman of the agency whose main task is to oversee the training and welfare of national athletes.

The PSC said boxing, taekwondo, diving, archery, wushu and a sprinkling of others will be given preferential treatment as these are the sports that could deliver the gold medals in Doha.

"Let us not kid ourselves," said Ramirez, emphasizing that everyone in the sports community should know which among the more than 40 NSAs are truly deserving of more funding.

Meanwhile, Ramirez said the PSC will get the opportunity to explain to the Senate why its annual budget be raised from a measly million on Jan. 17.

"I am positive they’ll understand and we are happy with the initiative of (Bacolod Rep.) Monico Puentevella that the PSC will be given the chance to present its program."

Puentevella said last week that 120 congressmen have already signified their support to his resolution seeking for the increase in the budget of the PSC from P27 million to P250 million.