PATAFA to recruit collegians

The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) is planning to recruit 26 athletes from the collegiate ranks for its next generation of runners and jumpers.

At the same time, track officials also said that non-performing veterans will be booted out of the national pool along with some coaches as the association starts what appears to be a major overhaul of the athletic program.

PATAFA secretary general Renato Unso said he has been tasked to oversee the change in the association in line with the Philippine Sports Commission guidelines.

“There is a PSC policy that athletes who don’t deliver in two Southeast Asian Games will have to be removed,” said Unso, who talked with reporters after attending the Philippine Olympic Committee General Assembly yesterday at Wack Wack Golf Club in Mandaluyong City.

“There is also a need to make changes among the coaches as former champion athletes are applying to become coaches,” said Unso, referring to thrower Arniel Ferrera, long jumper Joebert Delicano and steeplechaser Rene Herrera.

The PATAFA has 48 athletes currently in its national pool and Unso said it is high time to “introduce new talent.”

The recruits will be culled from the UAAP, NCAA and SCUAA.

The last few months, the PATAFA under the leadership of Philip Juico has made great inroads in its effort to upgrade the performance of athletes.

In the last Southeast Asian Games in Singapore, athletics took home five gold medals, including the two from Fil-Am speedster Eric Cray, and one each from sprinter Kayla Richardson, thrower Caleb Stuart and steeplechaser Cristopher Ulboc.

Cray, incidentally, has qualified to compete in the 2016 Rio Olympics, the only one from the Philippines so far.