RP Asian Games roster to top 300
The official list is 285 but the Philippines will have easily more than 300 members in the national delegation to the Guangzhou Asian Games set Nov. 12 to 27 in Guangzhou, China. The Philippine Olympic Committee Asian Games screening committee yesterday pegged the athletes count at 191 and the coaches at 55, who will stay at the Athletes Village along with 27 administrative officials and staff. Moying Martelino, a senior committee official, said the list does not include officials from the POC and the Philippine Sports Commission, as well as technical officials and heads of national sports associations who will be staying outside the village. A headquarters for Team Philippines will be put up outside the village, where the medical group made up of three doctors, two chiropractors, six physiotherapists-masseurs and one nurse will also stay. RP chef de mission Joey Romasanta said the official sendoff, with Vice President Jejomar Binay as guest, is scheduled on Nov. 5 at the PhilSports Arena. President Benigno Aquino III has also been invited by POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., but Romasanta said a confirmation has yet to come. “It’s going to be a big boost for the athletes if the country’s top two leaders will be there to wish them luck,” said Romasanta. At the same time, Cojuangco asked the 29 national sports associations with Asiad campaigners to provide an honest assessment of their medal chances. He expects the report when he returns on Oct. 26 from an international sports summit in Mexico. “The NSAs are being asked to make an individual assessment of their athletes,” said Romasanta. “They are also being asked to make a projection on their medal chances.” Martelino said an advance party of 21 will leave on Nov. 7 to facilitate the registration, billeting and other administrative concerns of the delegation. The 140-strong main wave of athletes and coaches will follow on Nov. 10 while the rest of the delegation will arrive in batches on Nov. 11, 13, 15 and 17. All will leave on direct flights via China Southern Airlines.
