Romasanta heads Team Phl to Rio

MANILA, Philippines - Even as it heads to the 28th SEA Games in Singapore in June, the Philippine Olympic Committee has drawn up its plans for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The POC has appointed Jose Romasanta, its first vice president, as chef-de-mission of the Philippine contingent to Rio.

It’s going to be a small delegation, normally made up of less than 20 athletes. But the POC said it’s making sure it’s going to be a quality field.

“The POC direction is one, to qualify as many athletes, and two, to make sure that these athletes can prepare well for their participation,” said Romasanta.

“Mas marami but at the same time, outstanding ang performance,” he said.

The president of the Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas, Inc. is hoping that the Philippines can send a team in beach volleyball.

Romasanta said he will see to it that the Filipinos, in beach volleyball and any other sports, get to compete in the various qualifying events.

He said it’s getting more difficult to make it to the Olympics because there’s no such thing as a mandatory sport anymore.

In the past, certain events, particularly athletics, offer slots to all member countries just to ensure maximum participation.

“But this time everybody has to go through qualifying,” said Romasanta.

It’s not the first time Romasanta will play the role of chef-de-mission, because he was CDM of the Philippine team to the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

“It’s by tradition that the POC first vice president is named chef-de-mission to the Olympics,” he said.

In 2012 in London, Manny Lopez of boxing played the role, and in 2008 in Beijing it was Monico Puentevella of weightlifting.