Asiad stint of Antonio, seven shooters hangs

Moying Martelino, an official of the country’s Asian Games task force, said the Philippine Olympic Committee is facilitating Antonio’s application for accreditation to the Asiad after the National Chess Federation of the Philippines endorsed the inclusion of the country’s No.2 player over International Master Richard Bitoon.

Martelino said the POC has already forwarded the requirements of Antonio but has yet to get a response from the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (Gagoc).

“You have to understand that it’s way past the deadline for submission of entries,” said Martelino. “We cannot force the organizers to approve his application. We have to wait and hope to get a favorable response.”

Martelino noted that two coaches from judo were earlier rejected by the Gagoc for late application.

He added that seven shooters, whose inclusion were finalized late last week, also have pending accreditation requests.

“They (Gagoc officials) are not saying anything, but I’m optimistic they will not deprive the athletes of participating in the games,” said Martelino.

Earlier scratched from the lineup for disciplinary reasons, Antonio reclaimed his spot in the team that also includes fellow GMs Wesley So, John Paul Gomez, Darwin Laylo and Eugene Torre.

The NCFP penalized Antonio for failing to return from the United States and compete in two NCFP-sanctioned tournaments —the Pichay Cup and Florencio Campomanes Cup—in August.