MANILA, Philippines — More than 500 Filipino athletes received a spirited send-off Thursday as Team Philippines prepares to compete in the 20th Asian Games and 5th Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
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| Photo courtesy: Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) |
The send-off ceremony was held at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum and was led by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), in partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC).
Athletes bound for the continental competitions were joined by sports leaders, government officials, representatives of national sports associations, and private-sector partners.
Among those present were PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio, Commissioners Olivia “Bong” Coo, Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, Walter Torres, and Edward Hayco, as well as POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and PPC President Michael Barredo.
Senate Committee on Sports Chairperson Senator Bong Go and House Committee on Youth and Sports Development Vice Chairperson Rep. Richard Gomez also attended the ceremony.
Tolentino announced that weightlifting standout Albert Ian Delos Santos and Olympic boxing medalist Aira Villegas will serve as Team Philippines’ official flag bearers during the Asian Games opening ceremony on September 19.
Adding to the athletes’ preparations, Gregorio announced an additional ₱6,000 allowance for the country’s Asian Games and Para Games athletes.
The incentive comes as Team Philippines targets a stronger medal haul after winning four gold medals at the previous Asian Games and 10 gold medals at the previous Asian Para Games.
The 20th Asian Games will run from September 19 to October 4, with Gilas Pilipinas seeing early action on Friday.
The 5th Asian Para Games will follow from October 18, as more than 11,000 athletes from 45 National Olympic Committees are expected to compete in Aichi-Nagoya.
— The Summit Express
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