Sports officials are betting the country’s gold-medal hopes on boxing and taekwondo. They’re also betting big money on them.

The three athletes in the two sports have been entrusted at least P1 million each to more than just prepare for the Beijing Games. Their pockets have been made deep because they’re expected to, at the very least, get a legitimate crack at the country’s first Olympic gold.

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines received P3 million, which will all go to Harry Tañamor’s training. Part of the amount is already being used by Tañamor, the country’s lone entry in the sport, who is now training in Cuba.

The Philippine Taekwondo Association got P2.3 million, which its two entries Mary Antoinette Rivera and Tshomlee Go will use.

William Ramirez said the appropriation was a no-brainer.

“I myself believe—though I could be wrong—that these two sports, boxing and taekwondo, are our best chances in the Olympics, that’s why we are giving them the big share of our Olympic budget,” the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman said.

Solitary shooter Eric Ang also got ample funding, with the PSC investing P2 million for his preparations.

Wushu received the same amount, despite not being on the regular competition list. Wushu is categorized as a special event.

The Philippine Amateur Swimming Association was allotted P2.9 million, but it will be distributed to five Beijing qualifiers led by Southeast Asian Games Male Athlete of the Year Miguel Molina.

Fencing’s continuing quest to send an Olympic qualifier is also getting support as the PSC earmarked P1.2 million for the team, while judo was earmarked P500,000, rowing P295,000 and weightlifting P105,000.

Athletics got P256,000.

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Sports officials are betting the country’s gold-medal hopes on boxing and taekwondo. They’re also betting big money on them.

WITH Harry Tañamor by his lonesome as he aims for the country’s first elusive gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, members of the Philippine boxing team are now looking ahead for the 2012 London Olympics, according to a Reuters report.

If you’re a regular listener of Monster Radio RX 93.1, you surely would be familiar with Rico Robles—that sporty DJ who hosts All Access every 6 to 10 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, and who makes all those interesting sports commentaries—about the National Basketball Association (NBA), among others.