Indonesian, RP SEA Games bets crash in dreaded Danao racetrack

The dreaded mountainbike course in Danao City where the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) mountainbike event will be held claimed two casualties yesterday even before the start of the 23rd SEAG next week.

An Indonesian and an RP bet to the SEAG sustained injuries after they figured in separate accidents during their practice run at the racetrack located at the Ramon Durano Sr. Memorial Sports Complex.

Indonesian rider, Dadi Nur Cahyadi, was surveying the cross-country racecourse with a teammate when he crashed.

The 22-year old Cahyadi was rushed to Cebu Doctor's Hospital as he could hardly breath. He also sustained bruises and abrasions.

According to the emergency room personnel of Cebu Doctor's, Cahyadi is in good condition, however, they are still waiting for the x-ray result as they are suspecting the rider might have sustained a fracture on the ribs.

Nitzel Montebon, only one of the two RP bets in the women's cross-country event, crashed two days ago, according to fellow RP team member, Rafael "Jojo" Cortes, and she got another injury in this morning's practice.

RP coach Renato Mier said initial findings revealed that the hipbone of Montebon might be fractured.

"Maski pa maka-recover sa next week, lisod na kaayo, wa pa nay pwersa ang iyang mga kamot unya, naa nay phobia," said Mier.

Danao City councilor Oscar "Boying" Rodriguez to declare, "only the tough will survive," after noting the series of accidents.

The Indonesians slipped into town the other night without much fanfare. They arrived early to be able to train at the venue especially that they missed the pre-SEA Games held a few months back.

CebuSoc vice-chairman Cheryl Ouano said, the welcome committee as well as the operation of the accreditation committee in a designated area at the Mactan Cebu International airport will start only three days before the opening of the action here.

The SEA Games here is set to open on November 25 at the Cebu City Sports Center.

On the other hand, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee got an additional boost after Cebu Pacific pledged support to the SEAG.

Cebu Pacific, led by Marketing Director Candice Iyog, and CebuSoc headed by chairman Jonathan Guardo, Danao Sports Commission Chairman Rodriguez and Mandaue Sports Commission Chairman Cheryl Ouano, signed the memorandum of agreement making the airline as the official carrier of the delegates and officiating officials of the biennial meet

Cebu is one of the satellite venues hosting five events namely dancesport, judo, karatedo, mountainbike, pencak silat and sepak takraw.

Cebu Pacific will be providing free tickets and discounted rates to the officials and athletes to their respective points of destination.

"We provide tickets for the delegates at a very good rate. We support all the sport in Cebu, " said Iyog.

Guardo, on the other hand, was delighted with Cebu Pacific's enthusiasm saying transportation is a need.

" We are very fortunate that we also attracted local sponsors, transportation is very much needed to carry our officials and athletes to the different venues, " said Guardo.

On the other hand, Cebu Pacific offers an all-year round low of highly discounted rates available for everybody especially those who are interested to watch the games.

"I encouraged them to book their tickets as early now because it's limited seats only, "Iyog added.