PH Asiad bets eyeing at least 5 golds

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has the resources to come up with a much better performance in the 17th Asian Games, according to the delegation’s chief of mission.

But Richie Garcia, also the chair of the Philippine Sports Commission, isn’t ready yet to make a gold-medal prediction. “Logistics-wise, we are better than before,” said Garcia. “Our athletes are better supported now. But I cannot say the number of gold medals that we could win.”

He said the target is to surpass the 2006 Doha Games output of four gold medals. “If they (athletes) give their best, the medals will come,” Garcia said. “We won three in 2010 (Guangzhou) and four in 2006. I hope this time we can win more.”

The PSC has set aside a war chest of P80 million for the Philippine delegation to the Incheon Games in South Korea—P30 million for actual participation and P50 million for overseas training expenses.

According to the PSC chief, the Philippines will forward slots for 248 athletes to the Incheon organizers today to meet the deadline for entries by number.

The Filipinos will compete in 25 of the 36 sports that offers a total of 439 gold medals in the continental games scheduled from Sept. 19 to Oct.4.

Aquatics has 80 swimmers on the list, archery 8, athletics 9, baseball 15, basketball 12, bowling 12, boxing 9, canoe-kayak 1, cycling 5, equestrian 3, fencing 2, golf 7, gymnastics 1, judo 4, karate 6, rowing 5, rugby 7s 12, sailing 4, shooting 8, taekwondo 12, lawn tennis 6, soft tennis 3, triathlon 8, weightlifting 2, wrestling 7 and wushu 6.

Garcia said the numbers may still be cut when the Philippine Olympic Committee and the PSC finalize the composition of the delegation by Aug. 15.

Citing the case of aquatics, Garcia said there’s no limit to the number of entries since only those who meet the criteria can be included in the delegation.