FILE – POC president Bambol Tolentino. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Philippine Olympic Committee president (POC) Rep. Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino feels that the postponement of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (Aimag) to a much later schedule favors Team Philippines in its quest to better its overall medal production in the previous edition.
Team Philippines brought home two gold medals, 14 silvers and 14 bronzes in the 2017 edition in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, and with a projected 160-strong team it will send to the postponed edition to be held from Nov. 17 to 26, 2023, in Thailand, Tolentino believes that the country has a better chance.
“The schedule of the Aimag is just right since our athletes will still be in great shape after the Cambodia SEA Games,’’ said Tolentino, referring to the Southeast Asian Games that will be held in Cambodia for the first time in March that year.
The city of Phnom Pehn is eyeing March 5 as the opening ceremony of the 2023 SEA Games.
“The Aimag ranks as one of the most important multisport competitions in the continent. Our athletes will come in prepared right after Cambodia,’’ said Tolentino.
Originally set March 10 to 19 next year, Thailand and its national Olympic committee sought for the postponement of the Aimag because of the health concerns that the COVID-19 crisis could bring.
“I’m confident that we can surpass that [gold] output in the next Aimag,’’ said Tolentino.
The Aimag will be cohosted by Bangkok and Chonburi, with that projected 160-strong PH contingent taking part in 21 sports of mostly individual events for a higher medal production. INQ