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THE national track and field squad will compete in
nine international tournaments as part of their preparation for the
Southeast Asian Games in Korat, Thailand, this December.
Philippine Amateur Track and
Field Association president Go Teng Kok received invitations in the
9th Asian Cross Country in Amman, Jordan, in March 10, 5/10 K Race
Walking in Hong Kong and the Asian Athletic Association 20/50km Race
Walking Championships in Wajima, Japan both on April 15; and the
Taipei Open in Taipei, Taiwan, on May 26 to 27.
Also scheduled are the four-leg
Asian Grand Prix and the prestigious World Championships in Osaka,
Japan, slated August 25 to September 2. The first two legs of the
Asian Grand Prix will be in Bangkok and Korat in Thailand on June 15
and 19, respectively while the third and final stops will be hosted
by India in New Delhi come June 23 and in Pune on June 27.
Spearheading the country’s
campaign in various international tournaments are Eduardo Buenavista,
Marestella Torres, Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito, Henry Dagmil, Arniel
Ferrera, Danilo Fresnido, Rene Herrera, Julius Nierras, Ernie
Candelario, Joebert Delicano and Mercedita Manipol.
“Every tournament sanctioned by
our International Federation serves as qualifying in the 2008 Bejing
Olympics and as much as possible, we would like our athletes to
different tournaments abroad to give them the chance to qualify in
the Olympics,” said Go.
The Philippines is looking
forward to defending the overall title in athletics after winning
eight golds in the 2005 SEA Games held in Manila.
“Besides Olympics, our athletes
also want a successful campaign in this year’s SEA Games and other
tournaments abroad,” added Go.
--Emil Noguera
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