Athletes under the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) will soon start training at the Baguio Athletic Bowl to prepare for the 2023 Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games.
City Hall officials led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong approved the request of Patafa Secretary- General Edward Kho for the city government to allow the training of 10 Patafa athletes.
The athletes will train until Dec. 31, according to the letter approved by Magalong, who is also the regional chair of the Patafa.
Among the 10 national athletes is Josh Eduardo Buenavista, son of two-time Olympian long distance runner, Eduardo.
The other athletes are Arneil Ferrera, John Albert Mantua, Christine Hallasgo, Joida Gagnao, Ri-chard Salano, Sonny Wagdos, Aira Teodosio, Macrose Dichoso, and Murphy Delotavo.
In his letter, Kho told the mayor the free use of Athletic Bowl will help the athletes in their training in preparation for international competitions.
Earlier, some Patafa athletes have acknowledged Baguio and nearby Benguet are ideal training grounds for national athletes especially high-altitude training.
Aside from lesser pollution, there are several routes in the two areas where the athletes could train in preparation for global competitions.
It is in Baguio where Patafa held its qualifying rounds for athletes who compe-ted in this year’s SEA Games in Vietnam.
The qualifying rounds were held without any untoward incident and Patafa was lauded for ensu-ring the health of the athletes, coaches, and other participants. – Harley F. Palangchao
