Filipino medalists get international buildup
MANILA, Philippines - Next year will be a very busy year for Filipino medalists in the recent SEA Games in Laos.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping yesterday said these athletes who accounted for 38 gold medals cannot lower their guard as they have the Guangzhou Asian Games in November to prepare for.
And, according to Angping, it means more hours in the training venue, more hours in actual competition.
“Those who delivered can look forward to more international exposures. It could be a quarterly basis. And for the others, they can train overseas for a longer period of time,” said the PSC chief, adding that he will leave no stone unturned in the Asian Games preparations.
“I asked Sheila Mae Perez of diving if she wants to train longer in China or if Marestella Torres (now the SEA Games record holder in women’s long jump) wants to train somewhere else,” said Angping.
He added that the government sports agency is willing to spend more this time, especially on athletes who have real chances of winning a medal in the Asian Games.
“That’s why we will review their performances because in the SEA Games, your effort to win the gold may not even be close to the bronze in the Asian Games. We will make sure.”
Angping said boxing, which won 5 golds in Laos despite sending only 10 entries, will continue to get support.
“We will sit down with their officials. Do they want foreign coaches? Do they still want Cubans? Because I think the Cubans are a little off now. Do they want to try Russian or Bulgarian coaches,” he asked.
The PSC chairman said by January, a new pool of elite athletes will be formed and soon enough, the athletes who will go to Guangzhou should be identified.
“And by March, we’re all out training them. Then tuloy-tuloy na yan,” Angping said. – Abac Cordero


Politics and Sports
Filipinos have proved its place to world sport thanks to Manny, the wonder kid So and the great pool players. Though I just don't understand bakit di pa rin tayo magising sa katotohanan na hindi talaga natin natutulungan ang mga atleta natin para sa tagumpay lahat sila sariling sikap para umkayat sa kinalalagyan. I'm so facinated of the promises of Mr. Angpin but how did we do during the SEA games (5ht?) I remember the days where Vietnam could hardly win a medal for their country but look at them now??? It's not the athlete it's the real support that they need and it's about time to put a through sportsman to help them out not a politician who gives us promises and false hope. A sportsman who truly understand the need of the atheletes a sportsman who will be willing to push everyone including the private sector to help build sports in this country and stop all the power grabber who want to take the center stage.
I hope to see that someday I'll be excited to watch the olympics and always look at the medal tally coz i know will be competitive and be able to show the true competitive pinoy blood na inumpasahan pa nung mga ninuno natin
I hope the next president will see this as important to boost the morale of this badly struggling but not deserving country
Malapit naman tayo sa Diyos sadya lang pinababayaan natin ang mga demonyo mag rule ng bansa natin
Big break
This would be a great break for our own Filipino athletes. Surely they will train really hard in order to bring honor to our country.