Olympian aims high

I’m confident that we will fight for the overall title.

EJ Obiena is tipped to emerge victorious in the 30th SEA Games. AFP

The Philippines Olympic Committee (POC) will deploy a strong and fighting team when it hosts the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this November.

Deputy chief of mission Stephen Fernandez said they are forming a very solid team capable of bringing glory in the country’s first hosting of the biennial meet since winning the overall title in 2005.

The statement of Fernandez, a champion taekwondo jin who competed in the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympics, makes a lot of sense.

When the country last hosted this prestigious 11-nation conclave in 2005, it emerged with 113 gold, 85 silver and 93 bronze medals to overcome the challenges thrown by Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The Filipino athletes shone everywhere with wushu contributing 12 gold medals, athletics and aquatics chipping in nine apiece and billiards and boxing contributing eight each.

Serving as chief of mission of the national delegation was Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez while First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo spearheaded the fund-raising campaign.

But that was the last gallant stand of the Philippines.

The following edition in Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand, the Filipinos slid to sixth place before sinking to an all-time low seventh in Naypyitaw in Myanmar with only 29 gold, 35 silver and 37 bronze medals to show.

This time, with the way the national team was composed, Fernandez believes that the Filipino athletes are in for an impressive finish, especially with millions of Filipinos cheering and rallying behind them.

“As a former athlete, I always believe that our athletes will be giving their best, especially since the SEA Games will be played here,” said Fernandez, who remains active in the sport as he serves as secretary general of the Philippine Taekwondo Federation.

“It’s always the pride of the NSA (national sports associations) to compete in front of our countrymen and I’m sure they will put their best foot forward in the upcoming tournament. “

The deadline for entry by name expired yesterday, but Fernandez stressed that they have given a fresh extension so that other federations can comply and submit their entries for the 530 events.

Fernandez said some NSA like athletics and swimming are still conducting their test events, but they are expecting around 1,200 athletes to compose the Philippine delegation.

“We don’t want to pressure the NSA to make predictions. But what we know from them is they will send their best athletes. But I’m confident that we will fight for the overall title,” said Fernandez, who also represented the country in the SEA Games multiple times.

“And with the support of the Philippine Sports Commission to our athletes, I believe we will have a better showing in the coming SEA Games especially we have the homecourt advantage.”

For the coming SEA Games, the government has allotted P6 billion for the biennial meet with Ramirez at the forefront of the country’s preparation anew.

Fernandez added that they would announce the flag bearer at the end of this month.

In the short list are Olympian Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting, EJ Obiena of athletics, Margielyn Didal of skateboarding, Eumir Marcial of boxing and Carlo Yulo of gymnastics.