‘Busy’ Duterte can’t join athletes sendoff

Philippine Sports Commission Chair William “Butch” Ramirez would love to see the government’s P90-million financial support to the national athletes translate to a successful campaign in the coming 29th Southeast Asian Games.

Ramirez said that due to his tight schedule, President Duterte won’t be able to attend the sendoff party for the national athletes, to be held on Thursday at Golden Pavillion on Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, or receive them in Malacañang.

“We’re sorry that the President cannot come,” Ramirez said. “I was told that he is loaded with appointments.”

The PSC and the Philippine Olympic Committee will host the sendoff for the delegation of 498 athletes from 37 sports, holding out hopes that the country can meet its gold-medal target in the Kuala Lumpur Games.

“We pray that the leadership of the national sports associations will take good care of our athletes in KL,” said Ramirez. “We hope they all deliver.”

After placing sixth overall in the 2015 Singapore Games, the Filipino athletes are expected to do much better this time with the NSAs aiming for a total of 50 gold medals, according to chef de mission Cynthia Carrion.

The first wave of athletes from sailing, sepak takraw, wind surfing, water polo, football and archery will leave for Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

The football event kicks off on Aug. 14, followed by water polo on Aug. 15. Two gold medals will be staked in both archery and sepak takraw on Aug. 16.

The 11-nation biennial meet officially opens on Aug. 19 and ends on Aug. 30.