SEA GAMES Athletics chief upbeat on medal potential

The long-standing 11-gold medal performance by athletics during the 1983 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games is doable, the leadership of the Philippine Track and Field Association (PATAFA) said.

But it would all depend on a lot of factors, according to athletics chief Philip Ella Juico, who feels that “with a combined homegrown and Fil-heritage athletes,” the country can match or do better when the SEAG is played here late this year.

Juico points to the familiar ingredients needed to succeed given that there is talent available: Funding, right nutrition, scientific training and coaching, international exposure and proper psychological motivation.

“If all or most of these ingredients to the winning formula are available, there should be greater chances equaling or even surpassing the 11gold medal haul,” said Juico, who once served as Philippine Sports Commission chairman.

The 1983 SEAG was held in Singapore with the Philippines placing second overall behind strong finishes by athletics, swimming, weightlifting and boxing,

In the 2017 SEAG in Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines won five gold medals.

In 2019, Juico is pinning his hopes on Eric Cray, Trenten Beram, Kristina Knott, Carter Lilly and Natalie Uy alongside a local crew that includes pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

Before the SEAG, Juico will dispatch athletes to international meets like the Asian Championships in Doha in April, world relays and world championships also in Doha in September.

On home soil, the athletes will compete in the national championships in Ilagan, Isabela, in March and the Asian Youth.