POC adjusts SEAG criteria in light of Aimag postponement

Without the Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games (Aimag) as gauge, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has set a different but familiar standard for Filipino athletes looking to qualify for the coming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEAG).

“We were supposed to use the Aimag as criteria for an athlete to make it into the SEA Games lineup. But since the Aimag was shelved, we will rely on their present rankings in Southeast Asia,’’ said POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino.

Besides looking at past performances beginning with the athlete’s output in the 2019 SEA Games, which the country hosted, Tolentino said they should rank at least in the top 3 of their respective events in the region.

“Our gold medalists in the SEA Games have strong chances. We also look at the other medalists who won silver and bronze if they are still capable of reaching the podium,’’ said the Cavite representative, who will run again as Tagaytay City mayor in the coming elections.

The POC had initially announced that 626 athletes from 39 sports would go to the Games, which was postponed this year due to the rising COVID-19 cases in the region.

It clearly means that nonmedalists and athletes out of the top 3 current rankings in their respective sport will have to find ways to join Team Philippines in the SEA Games to be staged in Hanoi from May 12 to 23 next year.

Tolentino explained that such athletes could get a sponsor to bankroll their participation and will be reimbursed if they win medals.