RP medalists get international buildup

MANILA, Philippines - Next year will be a very busy year for Filipino medalists in the recent SEA Games in Laos.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping yesterday said these athletes who accounted for 38 gold medals cannot lower their guard as they have the Guangzhou Asian Games in November to prepare for.

And, according to Angping, it means more hours in the training venue, more hours in actual competition.

“Those who delivered can look forward to more international exposures. It could be a quarterly basis. And for the others, they can train overseas for a longer period of time,” said the PSC chief, adding that he will leave no stone unturned in the Asian Games preparations.

“I asked Sheila Mae Perez of diving if she wants to train longer in China or if Marestella Torres (now the SEA Games record holder in women’s long jump) wants to train somewhere else,” said Angping.

He added that the government sports agency is willing to spend more this time, especially on athletes who have real chances of winning a medal in the Asian Games.

“That’s why we will review their performances because in the SEA Games, your effort to win the gold may not even be close to the bronze in the Asian Games. We will make sure.”

Angping said boxing, which won five golds in Laos despite sending only 10 entries, will continue to get the support it used to.

“We will sit down with their officials. Do they want foreign coaches? Do they still want Cubans? Because I think the Cubans are a little off now. Do they want to try Russian or Bulgarian coaches,” he asked.

The PSC chairman said by January, a new pool of elite athletes will be formed and soon enough, the athletes that will go to Guangzhou should be identified.

“And by March, we’re all out training them. Then tuloy-tuloy na yan,” Angping said. – Abac Cordero