WHERE TO, SKATEBOARDING?
SKATEBOARDING, the sport that shoved Margielyn Didal to instant fame and fortune in last year’s Asian Games, have yet to secure a venue for the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Skateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines President Monty Mendigoria has continued to vend the hosting of the event to either Tagaytay City and Clark—although officials of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) hinted they have the edge in building a temporary park for the sport where Didal won one of the country’s four gold medals in the Indonesia Asian Games.
Mendigoria said a park costs P13 million.
Both Tagaytay City and BCDA—through its facilities in Clark—offered lands where the park could be constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The BusinessMirror learned that the intention is to build a temporary or collapsible skate park that costs less than a permanent park.
Besides women’s street where Didal won gold, the other events offered in the Philippine SEA Games are park, game of skate and downhill for men and women.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William Ramirez, meanwhile, called for more awareness in the anti-doping campaign in sports as he opened the Doping Control Officer Training Course on Tuesday in a hotel in Manila.
Ramirez also vowed to support the Philippine National AntiDoping Organization (PHINADO) in its effort to educate athletes and coaches in the anti-doping campaign.
Dr. Alejandro Pineda, Phinado board member and project director, said Gobinathan Nair, director general of the Searado, will conduct lectures in the organization’s three-day seminar that drew participants from all Southeast Asian
Games Federation members.
Twenty doctors, nurses, nutritionists, coaches and sports administrators with doping control background are among the participants.
Pineda will discuss the country’s anti-doping plans for the 30th SEAG hosting this November. Global and regional perspectives in doping control and sharing of experiences among SEAG neighbors shall also be discussed during the training.