51 more athletes seek SEAG slots

MANILA, Philippines - As the deadline for the submission of entries to the 28th SEA Games in Singapore looms, 51 more Filipino athletes are trying to catch the last bus.

Julian Camacho, chef-de-mission of the Philippine team, yesterday said the deadline set by SEA Games organizers is at 6 p.m. tomorrow.  

“The doors close after that,” he said.

The 51 athletes hoping for late inclusion will come from women’s water polo (13), women’s net ball (12), men’s volleyball (12), dragon boat (8) and shooting (6).

Camacho said if they all make it, they will join 400 other athletes which earlier got the approval of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The 51 others will go to Singapore either funded by their own NSAs (national sports association) or the private sector.

If they win medals, the Philippine Sports Commission will reimburse the amount they spent for their participation in Singapore.

Around 120 officials will join the athletes in the delegation.

Camacho is sticking to his previous forecast that if the Philippines can win 50 gold medals or more, then it will improve on its seventh-place finish in 2013.

“We’re hoping for fifth place. We will do our best,” said Camacho.

In the gold medal race in 2013 in Myanmar, the Philippines trailed Thailand (107), Myanmar (86), Vietnam (74), Indonesia (65), Malaysia (43) and Singapore (34).

The Philippines won only 29 golds two years ago. To move up the ladder, it needs at least 50 gold medals in the bucket.

Singapore, now mourning the loss of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, is targeting 50 golds to commemorate the 50th year of its independence.

Myanmar is also eyeing 50 golds and has 300 of its athletes training in China since January.

“If we get fifty golds then we have a chance,” said Camacho.

For fourth to seventh places this year, it will be a race to 50 gold medals.