As Team Philippines prepares to field its largest delegation ever at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, fintech platform Maya and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have expanded their partnership to modernize how national athletes and coaches receive financial support.
Under the initiative, Philippines’ leading all-in-one fintech platform has distributed exclusive Maya Visa prepaid cards to Philippine national athletes and coaches, enabling digital disbursement of allowances and incentives ahead of the regional sporting event.
More than 1,600 athletes, coaches, and officials are expected to proudly represent the country at the SEA Games — the biggest contingent the Philippines has sent to date.
The move replaces traditional, manual allowance distribution with a secure and transparent digital system, aimed at reducing delays, paperwork, and cash handling, particularly during overseas competitions.
PSC, Maya modernize athlete allowances digitally
Executives of Maya, the all-in-one fintech platform, turn over to PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio (3rd from left) Maya Visa prepaid cards for Philippine national athletes and coaches in time for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. From left: Marvin Santos, Head for Public Sector, Enterprise Business; Toff Rada, Head of Corporate Affairs; and Nick Wiwayco, Head of PR and Corporate Communications.
“These reforms are part of PSC’s push toward modernization and ease of doing business,” said PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio, noting that digital disbursement helps streamline processes while improving accountability.
“By moving allowances to secure digital channels, we reduce queues and paperwork, improve transparency, and make it easier for athletes to manage their finances — especially when they’re representing the country abroad,” he added.
The all-in-one fintech platform’s Visa prepaid cards can be used at more than 130 million merchants and over one million ATMs worldwide, giving athletes immediate access to their funds while training or competing overseas. Allowances and incentives are credited directly to the cards, allowing for real-time tracking of transactions through the Maya app.
The rollout forms part of the ongoing Championing the Pinoy Athlete program, a joint effort by Maya and PSC to digitize financial processes across Philippine sports and promote long-term financial wellness among athletes, coaches, and commission staff.
“With Maya-linked accounts, athletes can receive funds on time, pay for purchases and bills, monitor their spending, and access savings, investments, and responsible credit,” Maya said in a press release.
Fintech partnership empowers athletes’ financial wellness globally
The exclusive Maya Visa prepaid cards for Philippines athletes and coaches will be used to disburse allowances and incentives digitally, replacing manual disbursements.
For Maya, the partnership underscores how fintech tools can support athletes beyond the competition arena.
“This partnership is about giving our athletes modern financial tools that work as hard as they do,” said Shailesh Baidwan, Maya Group President and Maya Bank Co-Founder.
“By digitizing allowance disbursements and providing a globally accepted prepaid card, we’re making it easier for them to budget, save, and spend securely — whether they’re in Manila, Bangkok, or anywhere in between,” he added.
Beyond convenience, both organizations said the initiative is designed to encourage better financial habits and reduce reliance on cash, particularly during travel and international competitions. Officials added that digital banking tools can help athletes build financial discipline and stability that extend beyond their sporting careers.
Maya and the PSC are also exploring further integrations, including financial wellness sessions for athletes, expanded use of cashless payments in training and competitions, and broader adoption of digital financial tools across Philippine sports governance.
