PNG tests Nationals vs upcoming bets

MANILA, Philippines - With 54 sports and close to 7,000 athletes in the fold, this year’s Philippine National Games scheduled May 16 to 25 will be like no other.

“We expect this to be bigger and better than the previous ones,” Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said in a press briefing yesterday.

Since the PNG was revived in 2011 under Garcia’s watch, it has grown in number, and has turned into glass showcase of the country’s finest athletes.

Garcia called on all members of the national pool, including the close to 180 priority athletes, to compete and prove themselves against the upcoming athletes.

The PSC chief warned the national athletes that failure to excel in the PNG could lead to their demotion in the ranks within the pool.

“This is an opportunity for our athletes in the provinces to be able to show they are just as good as our national players,” said the PSC chairman.

“The performances of elite athletes here will be monitored. They must prove that they deserve the P40,000 monthly allowance as elite athletes,” Garcia added.

For the unknown athletes, a victory over members of the national pool may lead to their inclusion in future international tournaments.

“It may be too late for their inclusion to the 2014 Asian Games lineup but they can be included to the 2015 SEA Games team. It will be easier for them to win medals there,” said Garcia.

Jolly Gomez, the PSC commissioner who’s in charge of the PNG, showed the numbers that have made the PNG a huge success over the last four years.

From 42 sports and 5,000 athletes last year, it’s up to 54 and 7,000, respectively. And from 220 participating LGUs (local government units) the number has grown to 436.

“The objective of the PNG is greater participation from the different LGUs. This is an opportunity for the LGUs to increase their knowledge in sports,” said Gomez.

Gomez said this year’s PNG will be held in cooperation with Philspada (Philippine Sports Association for the Differently-Abled)) headed by Luis Arellano and Mike Barredo.

Philspada has lined up 10 sports for this year’s calendar. Action will take place at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Philsports and different venues in Makati, Marikina and Novaliches. Dragon boat and windsurfing competition is set in Batangas.

PSC commissioner Buddy Andrada said the PSC has found ways to cut down on cost without sacrificing the level of participation.

“The PSC spent more than P25 million for 34 sports four years ago. And now the PSC expects to spend P20 million for 54 sports,” said Andrada.

Philippine Olympic Committee secretary-general Steve Hontiveros said the POC will also monitor the performances of the newcomers for possible inclusion to the national team.

There will be action in archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, beach volley, boccia, bowling, boxing, bridge, canoe kayak and dragon boat, cheerdance, chess, cycling, dancesport, diving, fencing, football, futsal, goal ball, golf, gymnastics, judo, karatedo, lawn tennis, motocross, muay, pencak silat, powerlifting, rugby, sailing, sepak takraw, shooting, soft tennis, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, underwater hockey, volleyball, weightlifting, windsurfing, wrestling and wushu.