20 NSAs eyeing Rio Olympic berths

Twenty national sports associations (NSAs) have expressed interest in sending their athletes to qualifying tournaments for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. said perennial Olympic bidders boxing, weightlifting and taekwondo head the list of the NSAs along with those from basketball, cycling, judo, shooting, canoeing, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, tennis, golf and triathlon.

Also making a bid for the Summer Games, slated Aug. 5 to 21 next year in the Brazilian city, are wrestling, rugby, sailing, rowing and badminton.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas takes a crack at the lone Olympic slot in Asia through the Gilas Pilipinas five that will compete in the Fiba Asia Championship on Sept. 23 to Oct. 3 in Changsha in Hunan, China.

So far, only athletics has an  Olympic qualifier in Fil-Am hurdler Eric Cray, who met the 400-meter hurdles standard.