Gomez, POC-PSC technical group begin Asiad buildup

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez led the Philippines to its most impressive output in the Asian Beach Games in 2014.

The actor-sportsman now aims to bring the same culture of success to the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia this August.

The Philippine chef de mission (CDM) to the Asiad sat down with the joint technical working group of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission over the weekend on his first official duty.

Gomez, appointed CDM by newly-elected POC president Ricky Vargas, said the delegation size, budget, administrative and medical staffing were among the issues discussed.
“We still do not have the final numbers, but there will be not much difference from the previous projection,” said Gomez, who took over POC treasurer Julian Camacho.

Gomez said they are strongly considering the inclusion of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team and the popular women’s volleyball squad in the Aug. 18 to Sept. 2 Games to be held in the cities of Jakarta and Palembang.
The Philippines had its best performance in the 2014 Asian Beach Games in Phuket after winning three golds, two silvers and seven bronzes with Gomez as CDM.

A total of 23 gold medalists from last year’s Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games are assured of spots in the Philippine Asiad contingent.

The POC also initially approved that athletes who didn’t nab either gold or silver from the SEA Games would stay home.

There were 34 silver and 63 bronze medalists from the KL meet. BMX rider Daniel Caluag captured the lone gold medal for the Philippines in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon.