PH athletes find 3 ‘godfathers’

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino announced that there are three local government units (LGUs) offering assistance to national sports associations (NSAs) seeking bubble training for their athletes preparing for the 31st Southeast Asian Games.

Tolentino, also Tagaytay City’s Representative, said he is willing to host national teams from cycling and kickboxing while Sta. Rosa, Laguna Mayor Arlene Arcillas and Taguig City Mayor Lino Cayetano have also offered, as well.

The development came after Philippine Sports Commissioner Mon Fernandez recently encouraged NSAs and LGUs to join forces in providing athletes proper training venues amid restrictions brought by the pandemic.

Tolentino said the proposal of an NSA-LGU teamup is not easy, so he took the initiative to call some friends and acquaintances willing to help the cause.

“Yung ganung project kasi, you need a memo from the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) to do that. So in the absence of that, I called some friends who have the passion to help sports,” said Tolentino during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Online Forum Tuesday.

Sta. Rosa has agreed to host 50 athletes while Taguig City is willing to assist volleyball and table tennis teams.

Tolentino said he is still talking to two more LGUs which are willing to do the same.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said athletes taking part in the Tokyo Games will be vaccinated as soon as possible.

Tolentino said they have already written to the InterAgency Task Force (IATF) on this matter and are just waiting for the response as athletes are still busy training and some are still to see action in their respective qualifying meet.