Biggest trackfest up tomorrow

The Milo 2000 Invitational Track and Field Championships set May 4-7 promises to become the biggest National Athletics Open yet in terms of attendance as the organizing Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) roster has swelled to more than 1,200 athletes as of yesterday.

Forty-seven provincial and city delegations from as far as Zamboanga and Iligan have arrived as early as April 30. The Rizal Memorial Sports Complex has become a hub of training activities by these athletes, who are all hoping to get a crack at the national training pool.

Fifteen schools and universities have also made the initial list even as Patafa president Go Teng Kok said he expects more to come a day before the official start of the meet tomorrow.

"Now we have to make sure where we are going to billet these athletes. We were surprised by the response we got from our provincial satellites. It seems Mr. Anthony Nicanor's ban on the Palaro ng Bayan athletes from taking part in our event has no effect at all," Go said.

The Philippine Sports Commission, itself, was surprised with the turnout of athletes and promised to make more building spaces available to accommodate them.

The event has attracted more athletes compared to other previous Patafa meets.

Patafa secretary general Ben Silva-Netto noted the remarkable resurgence of interest in athletics among the youth. "The list is really impressive. The Batang Pinoy only had 2000 athletes to start with, although it had more events compared to the Open. We are really happy with the turnout," he said.

Go said he is also planning to put up cash rewards to impressive performances by local athletes.

Foreign participation in the meet also impressed meet backers PSC and Milo as Vietnam, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Sabah (Malaysia), and New Zealand have confirmed their attendance.

Silva-Netto said the event could be a fitting tribute by the Patafa to all its athletes, past and present, as the association celebrated the World Athletics Day on May 7.