Except for some minor kinks, the Philippine preparation for the 27th Southeast Asian Games has been smooth as silk for the Dec. 11 to 22 meet in Burma (Myanmar).
“Everything is moving forward, I’m happy with the way the SEAG task force has been working,” said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chief Richie Garcia. “They’ve been working overtime and we’re glad for the support being given by national sports associations.”
So far, the only hitch Garcia sees is the abrupt leave of American conditioning coach Ryan Flaherty, who recently suffered from an illness that forced him to seek treatment in the US.
“He’s communicating and told us he’ll come back. It’s a pity that this happened. The athletes are responding well to his training program,” said Garcia.
Flaherty, a speed coach who helped the US track team win a silver medal in the 2012 London Olympics, was assigned in Baguio City to train the national tracksters as well as other athletes based in the country’s Summer capital.
“I hope the local coaches had been able to pick up some of his techniques, Ryan was open about it,” said Garcia. “The athletes are still doing his routine.”
Garcia said Flaherty is still listed as part of the Philippine delegation of 208 athletes and 77 officials.