It’s going to be a very long and busy day for the national athletes when they have their traditional send-off on Monday for the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta next week.

Deputy chief of mission Robert Bachmann yesterday said the send-off would be in Malacañang with no less than President Rodrigo Duterte serving as guest of honor.

It would be the third time for Duterte to meet the athletes since assuming office in 2016.

From Malacañang, the athletes would go straight to Philsports Arena in Pasig City for a separate send-off to be hosted by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) headed by president Ricky Vargas.

Bachmann will not be around since he has to serve as head of the advance party and attend the delegation registration (DRM) meeting on Friday.

But chief of mission Richard Gomez will be there to lead the 272 athletes and their respective coaches and officials in getting inspiring words from the Chief Executive.

“We’ll hold the send-off in Malacañang then Philsports after,” said Bachmann, saying that the DRM meeting would be very crucial as he has to work on the accreditation of new players of the men’s basketball team and one from the women’s volleyball squad.

“The President would be there to inspire and motivate the athletes as they embark on the Asian Games. The battle will not be easy, but we’ll be going there as one solid team.”

After the send-off, the athletes would have only three days of rest and preparation before leaving for the Indonesian capital of Jakarta on 16 Aug.

Opening ceremony of the world’s biggest multi-sport conclave next to the Olympics is set on 18 Aug. JCM