POC to push for wushu, judo, karatedo

Officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee will leave for Hanoi next week to bat for the inclusion of martial arts events where the Philippines is a strong contender for medals in the 2003 SEA Games and submit the country’s formal acceptance as host of the 2005 regional meet.

POC president Celso Dayrit leads a group of POC officials to the meet set April 12-13. The others are Romeo Ribaño of squash, Benjie Ramos of rowing, Rene Adad of football, Steve Hontiveros of bowling and physicians Sim Chi Tat and Raul Canlas.

Ribaño said that among the immediate concerns of the POC is the reported plan by Vietnam’s SEAG organizing committee to drop some events in martial arts where the RP could draw medals from. He said that Vietnam will not touch taekwondo, its favorite sport, and boxing but might delist wushu, karatedo and judo.

"We’ll definitely push for the inclusion of sports that we’re strong at," said Ribaño. "But the organizers still have the last say on this."

There is an unwritten rule in the SEAGF that the country hosting the meet has the right to decide on the events to be held even if it means turning down a recommendation by at least four member nations.

Also in the POC’s agenda is the submission of the country’s official acceptance of the hosting of the 2005 edition of the beinnial meet to the SEAGF. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has recently approved RP’s hosting of the 2005 Games.

"We’ll be presenting to the federation President Arroyo’s approval of the country’s 2005 SEAG hosting to formalize everything," said Ribano.