|
SOME 600 locals test their mettle against foreign rivals in the Milo
National Open track and field championships which unfurls Thursday
at the Rizal Memorial oval.
Senate President Manny Villar will be the guest
speaker in the 9:30 opening ceremony while Philippine Sports
Commission Chairman William Ramirez and Philippine Olympic Committee
President Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. have been invited to grace
the event.
A total of 17 gold medals are up for grabs on
opening day in discus throw, long jump, pole vault, high jump,
5,000m run, 3,000m run and 110m hurdles.
“This is a good opportunity for our local
athletes to prove themselves. They really trained hard for this
event, ” said Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association
President Go Teng Kok.
Long distance specialist Mercedita Manipol
banners the TMS Shipping Lines squad along with hurdlers Grace
Melgar and Sarah de la Virgo, sprinter Sharon Gesmundo, the 4x4 team
of Jimar Aying, Jun Reyano, Rodrigo Tanuan and Benigno Marayad,
jumpers Esmeraldo Pacheco and Teodoro Nonato and sprinters Arnold
Villarue and Albert Salcedo.
South Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia are fielding
six athletes each while Hong Kong has four entries.
Other locals seeing action are from the Armed
Forces of the Philippines, De La Salle University, College of St.
Benilde, Far Eastern University, University of the East, University
of the Philippines, University of Baguio, Polytechnic University of
the Philippines, Tangub City, Dagupan City, La Union, Pampanga and
Bulacan.
-- Emil Noguera
|
