RP joins Asian Grand Prix body

The Philippines joins four other countries in the newly-formed Asian Grand Prix commission tasked to oversee the growth of the event inaugurated this year into a major athletics gathering in Asia.

The Grand Prix had its successful debut only recently with Manila, through the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, hosting the third and last leg where Eduardo Buenavista and Ernie Candelario dished off impressive showing in their respective events.

Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president Go Teng Kok sits in the powerful commission under the Asian Amateur Athletics Association (4As) where he is also the vice president along with Asian Grand Prix prime movers India, Thailand and new member Sri Lanka.

Maurice Nicholas of Singapore is the fifth man in the commission as secretary-general of the 4As.

During the recent 4As consultation in Sri Lanka, the newly-formed commission decided that next year’s Asian Grand Prix series will be a four-leg affair with bigger prize money and tougher competition – and the Philippines again having the honor of hosting the fourth and last leg.

"The 4As was really impressed with the results of this year’s first Asian Grand Prix and the newly-formed commission decided that the 2003 edition will not only feature highly-competitive tracksters from 43 countries but also offer more lucrative cash prizes," said Go who, during the Sri Lanka meeting, was also able to get back the hosting of next year’s Asian Championships to Manila.

The 2003 Asian Grand Prix will give as cash prizes $3,000 to the winners, $1,500 to runners-up, $1,000 to third placers and $500 to fourth placers in each event to be calendared for the series.

"The Asian Grand Prix commission will also decide in the next five years the thrusts and format of the vent which we, in the 4As, envision to become the World Championships in athletic in Asia," added Go.

The Philippines’ inclusion in the commission as well as the 4As’ positive impression of the country as a major event organizer, according to Go, will ensure RP track and field’s continous development in the next five years.

The PSC, through chairman Eric Buhain, will also serve as PATAFA’s main partner in the endeavor as the former also expressed satisfction with the way the association organized the Milo National Open-Gov. Serving Cup and Asian Grand Prix third leg last May.