Full force in Vietnam SEAG – Bambol
Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino said he would lobby for the sending of athletes in all disciplines to the 2021 Southeast Asian Games once the POC Board convenes in the future.
Tolentino said this would encourage athletes to stay in shape especially during these trying times where the coronavirus pandemic hampered training and competitions across the globe.
“Whatever sports na ilalatag ng (host) Vietnam, definitely magpapadala tayo lahat ng atleta don. Yun ang gusto kong ipasok sa upcoming board meeting namin,” he said in a video conference.
Tolentino added he has a plan on how to finance the athletes’ participation, knowing the Philippine Sports Commission’s limited budget on the biennial meet.
“Whether or not sagutin ng PSC (Philippine Sports Commission), may paraan naman na makapagpadala tayo sa lahat ng events, basta qualified,” said the Cavite 8th district congressman.
At the 2017 SEAG in Singapore, the country sent 497 athletes to participate in 37 sports. The delegation collected 23 gold, 34 silver and 63 bronze medals to finish sixth place.
The country hosted last year’s edition that staked 56 sports, and the 1,115 Filipino athletes were able to harvest 149 golds, 117 silvers and 121 bronzes for the overall championship.
“Sayang yung previous record ng athletes natin na overall champion kung hindi natin ipapadala yung ibang mga atleta just because of budgetary requirements,” said Tolentino.
Vietnam will be hosting the 31st edition scheduled in November next year, targeting 35 to 40 sports.
Tolentino said member nations will convene online next month to tackle the sports lineup, adding that they will lobby for regional sports to be included: arnis, kickboxing, obstacle course race and pentathlon.