RP hopeful on 4 Asian Youth fronts

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines pins hopes on at least four of the nine events lined up in the first Asian Youth Games in Singapore late this month, including athletics, swimming, bowling and shooting.

Although team officials refused to make any prediction on the RP team’s medal prospects in the absence of records, this being an inaugural games, they remained upbeat of the Filipino athletes’ chances in the meet slated June 29-July 7.

“It’s difficult to make any forecast since there is no standard to base any prediction,” said Police Col. and chief of mission Cesar Binag.

He, however, said some names have been mentioned as possible medal winners, including Robert Nasis and Stephanie Cimatu in athletics, Jessie Lacuna in swimming and Shanin Gonzales, Jayson Valdez and Diane Eufemio in shooting.

“These names are those who excelled in the local competitions and tryouts conducted by their respective NSAs (national sports associations). Others were based on results of international competitions participated in by several athletes,” said Binag.

He also mentioned bowlers Jose Collins and Diane Coronacion, who won silver and bronze medals, respectively, in a recent tournament in Hong Kong.

Aside from the four events, the Philippines will be seeing action in athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, diving, football, shooting, table tennis and swimming.

The bulk of the 61-athlete contingent will leave on June 29. The football team left last Tuesday in time for the competition slated June 19-27 while shooting will leave on June 30.

Two send-off parties have actually been lined up, one by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the other by the Philippine Sports Commission.

The POC, according to Binag, will host a send-off ceremony during the Olympic Day Run tomorrow where members of the delegation will be the guests in the awarding ceremonies. The PSC will have its turn on June 24 at the badminton center near the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Meanwhile, organizers said the inaugural sports event will push through as scheduled despite concerns over the increasing number of Influenza A(H1N1) cases in the region.

Binag said that as a precautionary measure, tournament organizers required all of the participating nations’ contingents to have flu vaccinations. He added that for the RP contingent, the PSC already earmarked a certain amount to be spent on the athletes’ vaccinations.

The Philippines currently has 344 confirmed A (H1N1) cases – the highest in Southeast Asia. – With contributor Dino Maragay