The proceeds also go to the PSC. The PCSO has been supporting the programs of the sports commission right from the start.

Go for Gold Philippines and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) kicked off their fund-raising drive in a bid to help the national athletes in their quest for glory in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma said they would start selling “Scratch It” game cards to generate fund for the training and exposure of national team members headed for the prestigious biennial meet set from 30 November to 11 December.

Among the athletes being supported by Go for Gold are two-time SEA Games champion Nikko Huelgas of triathlon, Asian Games gold medalist Margielyn Didal of skateboarding and cyclists Ronnel Hualda, Ismael Grospe, Jonel Carcueva, Daniel Carino and Edmhel Flores.

Garma said they are looking to sell at least one billion worth of tickets in one year.

“One of the products of PCSO in order to generate fund for the athletes is the Scratch It. We must be able to sell one billion worth of tickets in a year so we can fund other charity and medical programs,” Garma said, adding that other proceeds will go to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“The proceeds also go to the PSC. The PCSO has been supporting the programs of the sports commission right from the start. So here, you can clearly see that it’s not just the PCSO, even our partner agents have also taken the initiative to support our athletes.”

Back in July, PCSO faced a major dilemma when President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of around 923 lotto outlets around Metro Manila.

Despite that, Garma stated that Go for Gold still refused to abandon its support to the national athletes.