RP tracksters to hone skills in 2 international meets

Filipino tracksters gearing up for the 2001 Milo National Open scheduled next month at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex were given the chance to flex their muscles abroad as track and field chief Go Teng Kok approved their stints in separate tournaments in Taiwan and Thailand.

Six athletes led by long jump hopeful Lerma Bulauitan left the country the other day to see action in the Taiwan Open scheduled today and tomorrow before another batch of 30 athletes and coaches test their skills in the Thailand Open set May 3-6. The Milo National Open is scheduled May 17-20 at the Rizal Complex.

"We are leaving no stone unturned in our athletes’ preparations for the forthcoming Milo National Open and the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games this September that’s why we are fielding them in these two tournaments abroad," said Go, who will not join the teams in Taiwan and Thailand to oversee the country’s hosting of the multi-nation event next month.

But more than their preparations for the Milo trackfest, the Filipino athletes were made to undergo the international tests as part of their training for the SEA Games where the Philippines is determined to recover lost ground. "The other countries who will compete in the SEA Games are doing the same so we might as well join them," added Go.

Joining Bulauitan in Taiwan are Joebert Delicano in the men’s long jump, Geralyn Amandoron in women’s javelin, Ernie Candelario in the men’s 400-meter run, Jeomar Aing also in the men’s 200-meter and 400-meter run and Nixon Mas for the men’s discus throw and shotput events. With them is coach Dario Darosas.

After their stints in Taiwan, Thailand and the Milo Open, the country’s top tracksters will leave for another international event — the Malaysian Open scheduled in July. It will be their last stop in their run-up to the SEA Games. "We hope to bring out the best from our athletes with their stints in four events," added Go.

Aside from those in Taiwan, expected to lead the country’s bid in the Milo event are multi-titled Elma Muros in the heptathlon, long jump and 400-meter low hurdles, long-distance runner Roy Vence, national juniors standout Chantal Balani, Palarong Pambansa sensation Arnel Ferreira, Emerson Obiena and Andre Pirie, whose father comes from New Zealand.

Expected to see action at the Rizal Complex are foreign teams from Thailand, Brunei, Sabah, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, China, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka, which is reportedly fieldling its world-class athletes led by former Asian Games champion (100 and 200 meters) and Olympian Damayanthi Darsha. – Abac Cordero