THE nineteen national athletes, who have won medals in the recent 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou are expected to form the core of the national pool which will be trained further for the 2011 Southeast Asian Games and the 2012 London Olympics. Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said yesterday that the sports agency will extend full support to these athletes in terms of training and exposure abroad.
“Puwede na ang mga ito at sila na ang dapat tutukan natin sa training,” said Garcia after conferring with Philippine Olympic Committee officials last week.
Garcia also asked the national sports associations to start identifying the athletes they will send to next year’s SEA Games and train them as early as January.
He has also encouraged the national athletes to immediately plunge into training after a two-week holiday break.
“Wala na munang matagal na break for Christmas, or ‘di kaya disbandment ng national team. Tuluy-tuloy na ang paghanda natin sa January,” Garcia added.
Boxer Rey Saludar, who won one of three gold medals in the Asiad, is one of those expected to see action in the SEA Games, along with fellow gold medalists Dennis Orcollo of billiards and bowler Biboy Rivera.
Another billiard ace in Warren Kiamco, who grabbed the silver after losing to Orcollo in the 9-ball finals in the Asiad, is also expected to be back in the fold, alongside silver medalist Annie Albania in women’s boxing and the members of the men’s chess team composed of grandmasters Eugene Torre, Joey Antonio, John Paul Gomez and Darwin Laylo.
Also being tapped to see action in the SEA Games are bowler Frederick Ong and boxer Victorio Saludar, both bronze medalists, and dance sports enthusiasts Ronnie Vergara and Charlea Legaras.
Other bronze medalists who will be asked to continue training for next year’s Games include taekwondo jins John Paul Lizardo, Paul Romero, Tshomlee Go and Kirstie Alora and wushu artist Mark Eddiva.
Peter Atencio, Manila Standard Today
