Heat stroke downs 50 athletes

COTABATO CITY – Heat stroke has downed more than 50 athletes taking part in the regional athletic meet of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in the past two days, health officials said.

Dr. Tahir Sulaik, the regional health secretary, said the athletes fainted while participating in various sports at the 30-hectare sports complex in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

"The weather is extremely (hot) and many of the athletes from provinces with moderate temperature were not acclimatized to the kind of climate we have here in Maguindanao," Sulaik said. – John Unson