POC eyes 20 athletes to Youth Olympic Games

MANILA, Philippines — Left without a medal in the previous edition, the Philippine Olympic Committee hopes to field 20 athletes in 13 of 28 sports in the coming Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, China.

Only archers Luis Gabriel Moreno and Bianca Roxas-Gotuaco and golfers Princess Superal and Mia Legaspi have qualified for the team.

Jonne Go, the country’s chef de mission to the YOG, said she is confident more entries will make it to the competition for athletes 18 years and younger set from Aug. 16 to 28.

“We have to work as a team to get as many qualifiers in the YOG as we can,” said Go, president of the canoe-kayak federation.

Go is hoping that six more qualifiers from taekwondo, four from boxing, the 3-on-3 basketball team, two each from athletics, swimming and gymnastics and one each from triathlon, fencing, judo and BMX cycling will make the YOG grade.