POC relents, okays Asian Youth trip

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will be taking part in the First Asian Youth Games after all.

The Philippine Olympic Committee yesterday agreed to accept the P4 million fund from the Philippine Sports Commission that would finance the country’s participation in the event slated June 25-July 7 in Singapore.

National contingent deputy chef de mission and football federation president Mari Martinez said POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. has given the go signal for the RP contingent to push through with the trip.

“Col. (Cesar) Binag, our chef de mission, myself and representatives of the eight NSAs (national sports sssociations) involved in the Games, met with Mr. Cojuangco yesterday to get his blessing and allow our young athletes to participate and honor our commitment in the event,” said Martinez during the Scoop Sa Kamayan weekly session.

The POC had earlier rejected the PSC move reducing the former’s proposed P7.5 million budget to P4 million covering the participation of 62 athletes, 15 coaches and eight POC officials in the games.

“After our meeting, we proceeded to meet with chairman Angping to discuss what happened and he re-confirmed the PSC’s commitment to fund the trip,” Martinez said.

The Philippines will be competing in athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, diving, football, shooting, table tennis and swimming.

Members of the RP contingent are mostly products of the Palarong Pambansa with the shooting team – Dianne Eufemio, Carina dela Victoria, Jayson Valdez and Allen Pinlac of the air rifle team and Shanin Gonzales, Chammig Trajano, Marc Manosca and Ian Valdez – culled from the National Youth Development program of national shooter Tac Padilla.

The Asian Youth Games serves as the regional qualifer for the first Youth Olympics slated next year, also in Singapore.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has been drawn with Iran, Chinese-Taipei and Kuwait in football set June 18-25. Other sports will start on June 25-July 7.