As chief of mission: Garcia: We’ll do better in Asiad

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia was appointed yesterday as chef-de-mission to the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

The appointment was signed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and announced by POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros.

Garcia was elated with the appointment and vowed to work hard and as soon as possible to make sure the Philippines surpasses its previous showing in the Asian Games.

In jest, he said the goal is to be No. 1 in Asia.

“Number one – if possible. Let’s beat China,” said the chief of the government sports agency whose main task is to fund all the national sports associations (NSAs) under the POC.

In the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, the Philippines bagged three gold medals courtesy of boxer Rey Saludar, bowler Biboy Rivera and cue artist Dennis Orcollo.

The Filipinos also won silvers in boxing, bowling, chess and golf, and nine bronze medals – four in taekwondo, two in dance sport and one each in boxing, bowling and wushu.

A total of 188 athletes from 26 sports were sent to Guangzhou with 2002 Asian Games equestrian gold medalist Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski as flag bearer.

Seriously, Garcia said the Philippines should do better in the next Asiad set Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.

“We will look for athletes whose performance is in the Asian level. We will look for Fil-foreigners that can reinforce our delegation to go with our priority athletes,” he added.

Over the last couple of years the Philippines has enjoyed marked improvement in football and rugby because of Fil-foreign players, and Garcia said the same thing can be done with other sports.

“We will scout for Fil-foreigners. We will look at the other events. We hope to do better than last time, surpass and improve on it,” said Garcia.

“We will have enough time to form the delegation, continue the policy for athletes who are qualified and set the standards. If we are strict with the SEA Games, we will be doubly strict for the Asian Games,” he added.

Garcia wants the athletes identified and deep in training by January next year.

“It’s a welcome development and a very practical move,” said POC first vice president Jose Romasanta of the appointment.

“Nothing is alien to him (Garcia) and him as chef-de-mission there will be a first-hand feedback with the PSC as far as the athletes’ needs are concerned. They will be in very capable hands,” he added.