Phl team to field the best in AYG

MANILA, Philippines - Preparations are underway to help field a competitive team that would help improve the Philippines’ performance in the second Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China on Aug. 16-24, delegation’s chef de mission, sportsman Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla said yesterday.

Padilla, many-time shooting gold medalist in various international events, said the Philippine Olympic Committee is finalizing the list of participants in 118 events in at least 13 sports in the quadrennial sportsfest featuring thousands of athletes from 45 countries.

So far, the Philippines is set to participate in aquatics (swimming and diving), athletics, badminton, basketball, fencing, golf, judo, rugby, football, shooting, table tennis, tennis and weightlifting.

Padilla has asked the leaders of various national sports associations (NSAs) to submit the names of athletes who would qualify for the Second AYG.  But he did not specify the number of athletes to be sent to Nanjing.

“The overall direction is to improve our performance in the first Asian Youth Games,” said Padilla.  “It would be a big accomplishment if we could finish in the top ten.”

In the first AYG in Singapore in 2009, the Philippines ranked 18th out of 43 countries, winning two medals – a silver and a bronze – in 90 events in nine sports.  The country sent 59 athletes in the meet which was dominated by China and South Korea.

Padilla did not give any medal target but he reiterated that a strategy is being finalized by POC and NSA leaders to ensure a respectable finish in the Nanjing sportsfest.

Padilla said he would hold regular consultations and dialogues with sports leaders to come up with better preparation and achieve the team’s goals.

 The age limit varies in various sports although as a general rule, athletes should not be over 19 years old.

The AYG was launched in 2008 to provide athletes a platform to prepare themselves for world-class competition.