The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has forged an agreement with a Chinese sports apparel company to provide the training and official uniforms of the Philippine delegation to major international events including the 25th Southeast Asian Games this December.

The tie-up was formalized on Wednesday by POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and high-ranking officials of the Chinese firm known as 361o, led by Zhao Feng, deputy director for marketing and brand management.

Feng said the POC and his company’s union “is a significant milestone,” while Cojuangco expressed the hope that it will be “a long-lasting partnership and an example for others to follow.”

“We had envisioned this for a long time so the POC reduces its dependency on the government for funding needs,” said Cojuangco.

The Philippine Sports Commission is also providing a set of training and competition uniforms for SEA Games-bound athletes in partnership with Accel, a Philippine sports shoe and apparel company.

PSC chairman Harry Angping had presented the uniform during Tuesday’s weekly sports forum and when informed about the POC’s contract with 361o, Angping just shrugged it off.

“The athletes are lucky because they now have two sets of uniforms. All the reason for them to win gold medals,” said Angping in a text message.

“That (having two uniforms) is okay with me,” Angping said.

Cojuangco said 361o is in the final phase of designing the uniforms for the Philippine team to the December 9 to 18 SEAG in Vientiane.

Under the agreement with the Chinese outfitter, 800 sets will be given to the POC for distribution to members of the national team, including coaches, trainers and other officials. The set will include two each of collared shirts, roundneck shirts, caps, towels, socks, jogging pants and one each of knapsack, duffel bag, and shoes and one official sportswear.

POC officials did not say if there is money involved in the sponsorship of 361o.

Established in 2003, 361o is said to be the third biggest manufacturer of sports apparel in China and is an active sponsor of the Olympic Council of Asia.