PHILIPPINE Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia has been appointed chef de mission of the national contingent to the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
Philippine Olympic Committee secretary general Steve Hontiveros announced the appointment yesterday, well ahead of the continent’s biggest sports event, set Sept. 19 to Oct. 4.
Garcia said his target is to tap as many overseas-based athletes with Filipino roots as possible and to surpass the country’s previous performance in Guangzhou, China, three years ago.
“We’ll reinforce the delegation with ‘Fil-fors (foreigners),’ said Garcia. “We will also continue the policy of selecting local athletes who can meet the Asian qualifying standards.
“I guess I have enough experience to head the delegation. But it will be a difficult task and I will need the help of everybody.”
The Philippines sent 188 athletes to Guangzhou and won three gold medals, courtesy of boxer Rey Saludar, bowler Biboy Rivera and billiards ace Dennis Orcollo. The country, which competed in 29 sports, also bagged four silver and nine bronze medals.
Garcia was the deputy mission chief to former PSC chair William “Butch” Ramirez in the 2006 Asiad in Doha.
Garcia is looking at identifying the athletes early and preparing them starting January.
According to Garcia, the national contingent will tap US Open doubles participant Treat Huey (tennis), several tracksters based in the United States, the Philippine Volcanoes and the Azkals for the Incheon Games.