Balabal in G-string as SEAG flag-bearer?

Wearing nothing but a piece of loincloth, champion wrestler Jason Balabal is expected to become an eye-catcher during the opening ceremony of the Burma (Myanmar) Southeast Asian Games on Dec. 11.

Chef de mission Jeff Tamayo yesterday floated the idea of having Balabal, a hulking grappler from Ifugao, carry the Philippine flag in his native outfit.

Filipino flag-bearers in past multievent competitions usually marched in barong and black pants or in an athletic uniform.

“He’s a fighter and proud of his indigenous background,” said Tamayo, a staunch advocate of sports in ethnic communities and organizer of the Tribal Games.

The 27-year-old Balabal captured the freestyle gold medal in 2009 (Laos) before crossing over to Greco Roman in 2011 (Indonesia) to match his golden feat in the 84kg.

Tamayo also said the SEA Games had moved the final submission of entries on Oct. 10, a month earlier than the original deadline.

“It will definitely hurt the chances of aspiring athletes who want to qualify,” said Tamayo, who attended the SEA Games chief of mission meeting in Burma during the weekend.

The POC second vice president said women’s basketball and judo are among the sports that might not meet the early deadline.

Tamayo also said former actor and taekwondo-jin Monsour del Rosario has been tapped as deputy chef de mission along with tennis secretary general Romeo Magat.