A legendary runner is set to join the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association as it shoots for glory in major international events.
Patafa secretary general Edward Kho on Thursday announced their hiring of Isidro del Prado, saying that his experience and technical know-how will be a big boost to the national squad that will see action in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and 19th Asian Games this year.
Del Prado is a giant in Philippine athletics history.
He won two gold medals in the Asian Championships in 1983 in Kuwait and 1985 in Jakarta as well as silver medal in the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul.
He is a product of the very successful Project: Gintong Alay program together with other legendary athletes like the late Lydia de Vega-Mercado and Elma Muros-Posadas.
He handled the national squad in the past before accepting the head coaching role in Brunei, where he helped Ak Hafiy Tajuddin Rositi achieve a personal best 48.67 seconds in the 2012 London Olympics.
Kho said they are just waiting for the green light from the Philippine Sports Commission to officially have him on board.
"We need to wait for the official approval of the PSC and we don't want to pre-empt them. But I can confirm that Isidro del Prado is a returning national coach in the coaching staff," Kho told Daily Tribune in a phone conversation.
"It's a big boost, especially to his son who is part of the national team. According to coach del Prado, he will be straightforward as a coach."
Kho added that del Prado's marching order is to bring out the best from the national athletes.
"He has a way to improve and transform the performances of the athletes, especially those with talents," he said.