World Beach Games set; PH athletes eye medals

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. announced Tuesday the inaugural World Beach Games in 2017 will be held in San Diego, California, and top Filipino athletes hope to aim for medals in the meet.

Cojuangco said the POC would immediately form a committee to address the concerns of the WBG, including the sports to be played and the athletes who should carry the national colors.

“Before, the beach games are just fun and games. Now, it has become really competitive,” said Cojuangco. “We’ll prepare for this as early as we can.”

The Philippines won three gold medals in the 2014 Asian Beach Games held in Phuket, Thailand, in November last year courtesy of ju-jitsu fighters Maybelline Masuda and Annie Ramirez and wind surfer Geylord Coveta.

“I’m confident that we can contend for medals on a global level,” said Cojuangco.

San Diego was awarded the hosting rights to the Olympic-style, multisport event over the weekend by the Association of National Olympic Committees (Anoc).

The event features more than 20 sports, beach tennis, soccer, volleyball, surfing, jet skiing, track and field, basketball and triathlon, among them.