Asiad athletes status NSAs prime concern

MANILA, Philippines – National sports associations (NSAs) should guarantee the eligibility of their athletes seeing action in the coming Asian Games.

“They (the NSAs) should be the one to check on the eligibility of their athletes. Otherwise, they will be answerable to the country,” said Richie Garcia, the chair of the Philippine Sports Commission who has been tapped to serve as chef de mission for the Asiad scheduled Sept. 19 to Oct. 4 in Incheon, South Korea.

“It’s the responsibility of the associations to know the rules and regulations. Don’t include your athletes if you know they’re not qualified.”

Garcia earlier announced plans to clarify the status of Asiad-bound overseas-based athletes with Filipino roots during the coming chef de mission meeting in Burma (Myanmar).

Considered as strong candidates for Asiad slots are Daniel Caluag (BMX cross), Treat Huey (tennis), Eric Cray (track and field) and several members of the men’s rugby team.

To enhance their chances for medals, Garcia had earlier said the PSC would spare no expense in training these athletes.

Caluag recently bagged a gold medal in the BMX event of the Southeast Asian Games in Burma.

The California-based racer, also the Asian champion, is the only Asian participant in the sport during the 2012 London Olympics.

Also a cinch to make it is Huey, who ranks No. 22 in the world in men’s doubles and fourth in Asia behind Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna of India and Aisam-ul-haq Qureshi of Pakistan.