12 nations to vie in athletics invit’l

MANILA, Philippines - Over 1,500 athletes from a dozen countries will participate in the Philippine Open Invitational Athletics Championships from March 19 to 22 at the San Luis Sports Complex in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (Patafa) president Philip Juico yesterday said 23 events each in the men’s and women’s divisions will be on tap in the four-day event.

Juico said it’s no ordinary event because for most of the competing countries, it will be used as a qualifier to the 28th SEA Games in Singapore in June.

“Magkakasubukan dito (This will be a gauge). The pressure will be there,” said Juico during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Juico said entries will come from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Brunei, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong and Chinese Taipei.

“There is pressure on our locals and there will be pressure on the foreigners,” said Juico, who was joined in the forum by Vincent Soriano, chief of staff of Laguna Gov. Ramil Hernandez.

Also present were Patafa vice president Atty. Nicanor Sering, secretary-general Renato Unso, vice president for administration Cham Teng Young and marketing director Edward Kho.

The province of Laguna is rolling the red carpet to ensure the success of the event that will gather the finest track athletes in the youth, open and masters.

Helping out are private sponsors Milo, Online Pacific System and the Philippine Sports Commission.

“Rest assured that it will be a success. And not only that, this one will be better,” said Soriano, who came in behalf of the governor of Laguna.