INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines ? The Philippine Sports Commission said Friday it has closed an agreement with its Chinese counterparts for the Southeast Asian Games-bound athletes to train in the mainland for at least three months.

PSC chair Harry Angping said he will fly to Beijing and Guangzhou late this month to finalize how many athletes can train in China from August to November.

``This is a great opportunity for our athletes to train at least for a few months under world-class coaches,'' said Angping.

National athletes have trained in China before especially those in diving and wushu, but Angping said this time it will involve more sports disciplines.

Angping said this move would increase the Philippines' chances in the biennial Games where the country finished a dismal sixth place with just 42 gold medals to show.

``This is just for the SEA Games, if our neighbors can do it (train in China) we can also do it,'' added Angping.

Athletes from Vietnam, Thailand and even host Laos are reportedly training year-long in China in preparation for the SEA Games this December.

The PSC chief also said the agency is committed in giving at least P35 million for the national contingent in the SEA Games.

Some officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee expressed worry that the size of the national contingent might get affected with the current feud between the POC and the PSC.

POC first vice president and SEAG chief of mission Mario Tanchangco earlier said the country might send less than 150 athletes if the sporting bodies fail to settle their differences and the POC is left to shoulder all the expenses.