Football, 3 other sports get lifeline
Published on Thursday, 01 August 2013 00:00
Written by BONG PEDRALVEZ
By A Web design Company
THE POC-PSC Southeast Asian Games Task Force left the door slightly ajar yesterday for the inclusion of football in the national team to the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar, giving the sport and three others a chance to justify their inclusion during a special meeting on Aug. 7.
"These sports are the ones that did not meet our original SEA Games criteria," said Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman Tom Carrasco, a task force member who proposed the special meeting during a talk with POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. and Philippine Sports Commission chief Richie Garcia.
Carrrasco said his plan was approved after a lengthy talk with the two sports officials along with PSC Commissioners Iggy Clavecilla, Buddy Andrada and fellow task force member Romy Magat, the secretary-general of the lawn tennis association, before a POC general assembly meeting at the Manila Golf Club in Makati.
Aside from football, which wants to send the national men's Under-23 and women's squads and the men's futsal team to Myanmar, representatives of table tennis, shooting and canoe kayak were also invited to the special meeting to present their case, Carrasco said.
"We were given a bit of oxygen," said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr., who went to the POC general assembly meeting with general secretary Atty. Ed Gastanes and heard Carrasco's announcement.
The PFF has been pressing for the inclusion of its teams in the Myanmar Games, citing its importance in sustaining local football development and popular interest in the sport, and is willing to finance their participation with the help of private sponsors.
"The SEA Games is the only major international tournament for our national Under-23 squad and it would be a shame if they are not given a chance to see action in the event," said Araneta, who added they are keen on tapping main Azkal goalkeeper Neil Etheridge to bolster the side's SEA Games campaign.
Araneta also underscored the fact the PFF even hired a full-time foreign coach, Bryan Reid of Scotland, for the national Under-23 squad's build-up.
Gastanes noted all three teams have been intensely practicing three times a week for the SEA Games "to ensure we will have well-prepared squads for Myanmar."
In determining the fate of football and the three other sports, Carrasco said they will refer to the track record of the four disciplines since the 2011 Indonesia SEA Games.
"We have to be fair and objective," he stressed.
Carrasco, also the triathlon president, added they are also considering the possibility of sending "token athletes" for sports that don't make the grade consisting of one male and one female athlete from the developmental pool.
"These athletes must be young, or at least under 23 years old, who have the potential to excel in the future," said Carrasco, adding he doesn't expect the number to exceed 26.
Related Articles
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/08/01/football-3-other-sports-get-lifeline/
No comments:
Post a Comment