Ricky Vargas tells national sports associations: 'Send only the best'

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Olympic Committee president Ricky Vargas called on the different NSAs (national sports associations) to open their doors to any athlete who can represent the country well in this year’s SEA Games.

“Obviously we should have the best athletes available to us for the SEA Games. That’s why we have always stressed inclusivity in these matters,” he said.

Vargas wants only the best for Team Philippines.

The boxing chief and POC head hailed the move of Philippine Swimming Inc. head Lani Velasco for calling an open tryout for the SEA Games, which the country will host from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11. 

Velasco said any swimmer regardless of club, loyalty and affiliation is welcome to join the tryouts.

Vargas is hoping that other NSAs facing legitimacy of leadership issues to do the same for the sake of the country.

“It would actually be ideal if these efforts are successful and other NSAs with similar concerns could follow suit,” Vargas said yesterday.

“We all need to put our misunderstandings and heartaches aside and come together to get the best Filipino swimmers in the SEA Games,” the POC chief added.

“There is no need for acrimony and divisiveness. I call on the other groups to cooperate and work as one for the country’s interest,” he said.

The Philippines is hard pressed to do well in this SEA Games, following a disappointing sixth-place finish in Kuala Lumpur in 2017.

Vargas wants at least a podium finish for the Philippines in the overall race – if not match its historic feat in 2005, when it hosted the biennial event and emerged the overall champion.