Sa kabila ng kakapusan sa pondo, nairaos pa rin ng Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) ang katatapos na 2008 National Open.
Kaya naman bumilib si Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco, Jr. kay PATAFA chief Go Teng Kok.
“We wish to congratulate PATAFA for having successfully staged its 2008 Milo National Open,” ani Cojuangco. “Despite financial difficulties, the leadership carried on with its firm commitment to develop the sport.”
Nagpasalamat rin si Cojuangco sa Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) hinggil sa tulong nito sa pagsasagawa ng naturang three-day trackfest sa Rizal Memorial Stadium.
“We know we can’t always depend on the PSC because it also has financial problems. We’re just so happy that some big help came in, and because of that we survived,” ani Cojuangco.
Kabilang sa mga national pool members na nagbulsa ng gintong medalya ay sina long distance runner Mercedita Manipol, hurdlers Grace Melgar at Sarah dela Virgo, sprinter Sharon Gesmundo, ang 4x4 team nina Jimar Aying, Jun Rey Bano, Rodrigo Tanuan at Benigno Marayad, jumpers Esmeraldo Pacheco at Teodoro Nonato at sprinters Arnold Villaruel at Albert Salcedo.
Umagaw rin ng eksena ang 17-anyos na si Christopher Ulboc, Jr. ng Far Eastern University makaraang magtakbo ng tatlong gold medal sa boys’ 3,000-meter steeplechase, 1,000m run at 5,000m run. (Russell Cadayona)