i TV Pinoy

Source: Abac Cordero, philstar.com

-- It’s time to move on and look forward to the Asian Games.

“From here we go to Guangzhou for next year’s Asian Games,” said Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping after praising the Filipino athletes for their steady performance in the 25th Southeast Asian Games, which drew to a close the other day in Laos.

The Philippines bagged 38 gold, 35 silver and 51 bronze medals. It was less than the 41-96-91 haul two years ago in Thailand. But it was enough to push the country from sixth to fifth overall, considering that only 251 athletes were fielded as to the 600 of 2007.

Angping said it’s time for the PSC, the Philippine Olympic Committee, the different NSAs (national sports associations) and the athletes to set their sights on the Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou, China on Nov. 12 to 21 next year. It will be a different ballgame.

In the 2006 Asiad in Doha, Qatar, the Philippines won four gold medals, two in boxing and one each in billiards and wushu. Angping said if things fall into place, from the selection, training and funding of the RP contingent, the country should be able to win more this time.

“More or less, our gold medalists in Laos will gain automatic slots to Guanhzhou. But again we need to double check if their efforts to win the gold
in Laos can come close to a bronze in the Asian Games where the competition is of the higher level,” said the PSC chief.

“So, let’s move on. We need to sit down with the NSAs so we can choose the best athletes. By January, we will form the new pool of elite athletes and from P15,000 a month their allowances will increase to P20,000 and it goes higher as they improve,” he added.

Angping said when the new year comes in, he’d immediately sit down with the different NSAs, their leaders, coaches and athletes, review their programs for the year, and decide whether they need a foreign coach or would rather send their athletes for overseas training.

“By January, the meeting with the NSAs should be done, in February we form the team and March we’re all out training the athletes for November,” said Angping, who reiterated his plan to increase the gold medal incentive to the Asian Games from P1 million to P2 million.

The government, under Republic Act 9064, hands out P1 million for every gold in the Asian Games.