Task Force wants Azkals, Malditas in SEA Games

The Philippine Southeast Asian Games Task Force will recommend the inclusion of the men and women’s football teams to the PH delegation competing in the biennial meet in December in Burma (Myanmar).

Jeff Tamayo, the PH chef de mission, yesterday said the final decision on the football team’s fate now rests on Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia.

“But as far as we are concerned, we will recommend them to be part of the delegation,” Tamayo told the Inquirer over the phone after meeting with Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta and general secretary Ed Gastanes yesterday.

Tamayo said the women’s team, fondly called the Malditas, are almost sure of making the list since they made the grade as a potential gold medalist owing to their showing in the Women’s AFC Asian Cup in Bangladesh last May.

The Malditas beat Iran and Bangladesh in the tournament, where their lone loss came against Thailand, 0-1.

“They satisfy our requirements, while the men’s team is 70 percent sure,” said Tamayo.

“Meeting the top officials of the federation gave us the impression that the NSA has a solid foundation.”