It’s final: PH fielding 208 SEAG athletes

The Joint Philippine Olympic Committee-Philippine Sports Commission task force will forward the names of 208 athletes from 26 sports today to the organizers of the 27th Southeast Asian Games in what is considered one of the smallest Philippine contingents in the history of the 11-nation meet.

Chef de mission Jeff Tamayo said the list was confirmed by POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. and PSC chair Richie Garcia, who both have the final say on the composition of the delegation to the Dec. 11-22 SEAG in Burma (Myanmar).

Tamayo said 24 athletes from women’s basketball (12), wushu (seven), billiards (two) and one each from judo, weightlifting and shooting remain under conditional status pending their performances in qualifying tournaments or trials identified by the task force prior to the SEA Games.

“One thing’s for sure, the size of the delegation will not exceed the number that we will submit tomorrow (today),” said the POC 2nd vice president and soft tennis chief.

Participating countries are still allowed to replace athletes until the delegation registration meeting on Dec. 10 but are prohibited from coming up with last-minute additions.

The Philippines sent 512 athletes two years ago in Indonesia and brought home 36 gold medals for sixth place overall.

The country’s leanest contingent to the  Games was 200 in 1999 in Brunei.