Cebu jocks need funds for national athletics tilt

The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) is inviting its local counterpart here to join the prestigious 206 National Open-Invitational Athletics Championships set on May 4-7 at the Rizal Memorial Track and Field Oval.

Coaches under CETAFA are on the process of selecting athletes, who will see action in the National Open and the selection process is based on the meet standards sent by PATAFA.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) regional director Danilo Villadolid, the godfather of track and field here in Cebu, is planning to conduct a solicitation drive to help potential athletes compete in national events.

Meanwhile, the PATAFA is expecting around 3,000 participants because the National Open coincides with the holding of the World Athletics Day, which falls on May 6-7.

The highest ruling body for athletics here in the Philippines, PATAFA invited different athletes from Thailand, Sabah-Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, China and the Filipino-American athletes.

The 206 edition, on the other hand, will be featuring new categories in observance of the World Athletics Day.

There will be the Seniors category for athletes 20 years old and above, Juniors for 18-19 years old, Youth for 16-17 and Minimes for 14-15-year old athletes.

The Youth and the Minimes divisions are set to identify athletes, which will be sent to the IAAF Super Grand Prix Meeting "Herculis" in Monaco on August 20.

The winners in the Youth and Minimes division will be included in a draw and the "lucky winners" will earn tickets to the Grand Prix for an all-expense paid trip and full-board accommodation to be shouldered by IAAF.