Cordilleran athletes who are members of the national teams have started their training in full blast in preparation for the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam in May.
Philippine Muay Thai athlete Islay Erika Bomogao said she and her teammates have started their official training at the Benguet State University last week.
BSU is one of the official training sites for MAP athletes since last year.
Bomogao will be among the 584 athletes who will represent the country in various sport disciplines set in the 31st SEA Games.
MAP athletes could also train overseas either in Russia or Thailand pending the approval of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Divine Wally, 30th SEA Games wushu-sanda gold medalist, said wushu athletes would train soon at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex but some members of the national squad are holding self-training at the Athletic Bowl.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino said in a statement due to PSC’s budgetary constraints, the committee has employed belt-tightening measures as regards to officials and equipment.
However, 80 athletes from various national sports associations (NSAs) who fall under group B category are on appeal to be part of the national delegation to the 2022 SEA Games.
Tolentino added if the athletes go to Hanoi, they will have their travel expenses shouldered by their NSAs.
The PSC said the exact budget for the SEA Games have to be determined yet although it could be around P200 million.
The 31st SEA Games executive committee has recently reaffirmed Vietnam’s hosting of the delayed games set on May 12 to 25. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 27, 2024
