PH booters’ SEAG stint looks dim

THERE won’t be a football team  to the Myanmar Southeast Asian Games this December if the country’s SEAG task force strictly follows its criteria of choosing only sure winners and potential gold medalists for the national delegation.

“Inclusion to the delegation will be based on the criteria. The team has to pass the scrutiny of the task force,’’ said Philippine chef de mission Jeff Tamayo, who heads the task force along with Philippine Olympic Committee chair Tom Carrasco, sports commissioner Iggy Clavecilla and Romy Magat of tennis.

Composed of under-23 players, the men’s team didn’t make it past the group stage during the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia after losing four of its five elimination-round games.

The Philippine Football Federation also wants to send the women’s team known as the Malditas and added it is ready to fund both squads with help from sponsors.

Tamayo said he would like to see the Malditas compete in the 11-nation meet but the women’s team has no track record to speak of in the games.

Aside from football, futsal is also uncertain of playing in the SEAG.
The team lost its two preliminary games and failed to advance in the knockout stage in the 2011 SEAG.