Stable program for para athletes puts PH in competitive shape for Cambodia Games
FILE – The Philippine delegation during 9th ASEAN Para Games opening ceremony last Sunday, September 17th. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ Janneth Tenorio
MANILA, Philippines-The Philippine para team has built a solid structure enough to weather any rising challenge in the Asean Para Games next year in Cambodia.
“With the next Asean Para Games not too far away, our para athletes have laid the foundation in training harder and better so they can continue to bring home glory and honor to the country,” said Philippine Paralympic Committee president Michael Barredo.
The nation’s para athletes arrived on Sunday following a triumphant campaign from the 11th Asean Para Games in Surakarta, Indonesia, and got what they deserved—a red carpet treatment from Philippine Sports Commission and PPC officials.
The Filipino athletes came home with 28 gold, 30 silver and 46 bronze medals, surpassing their best output in the Games in 2009 Kuala Lumpur (24-24-26) and far exceeding their 2017 stint (20-20-29) likewise in the Malaysian capital.
According to Barredo, their performance was a fitting tribute to the late former President Fidel V. Ramos, who pushed and motivated Barredo to form a sports association for people with disability 25 years ago.
“We really owe it to President Ramos. We couldn’t have started this and later on succeed if not for his support and encouragement,” said Barredo, who also thanked the PSC and the government to a large extent for the unwavering solid backing.
The Philippines retained its No. 5 ranking at the close of the 11-nation showcase for para athletes with majority of the 144-athlete contingent participating for the first time at this level since 2017.
The APG was twice postponed—2020 Philippines and 2021 Vietnam—due to the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic.
“The entire nation has been celebrating the success of our para athletes. It only shows that Filipino athletes areready to hurdle any challenge, especially when the honor of the country is at stake,” said PSC Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo.
PSC Executive Director and Officer-in-Charge Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr. also lauded the accomplishment of the PH bets.
“This is another milestone for Team Philippines. We have surpassed our past APG participation with this big medal haul in this edition. We are all proud of you, the agency thanks you all for such an inspiring performance,” said Iroy.
Sander Severino delivered the most number of gold medals for Team Philippines in chess with four while fellow chessers Darry Bernardo and Menandro Redor had three golds each.
Swimmers Ariel Alegarbes and Angle Otom also captured three golds for themselves while Paralympians Ernie Gawilan of swimming and wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan won two golds each.
Other double gold performers were Cheyzer Crystal Mendoza, Henry Roger Lopez, Jasper Rom and Arman Subaste of chess, thrower Cendy Asusano and swimmer Marco Tinamisan.
They’ll be ready to repeat the act in the 12th Asean Para Games in Phnom Penh on June 3 to 9, 2023.
