We Heart Games

BARRING LAST-MINUTE ADDITIONS, 160 athletes and 90 officials will represent the Philippines in the Southeast Asian Games in Laos this December.

RP chef de mission Mario Tanchangco said the final lineup of the national contingent was agreed during his recent meeting with the Philippine Sports Commission’s Joey Mundo, the commissioner-representative in the body tasked by the Philippine Olympic Committee to prepare the SEA Games roster.

Tanchangco said the PSC board, headed by PSC chair Harry Angping, still has to approve the final lineup before it is forwarded to the Laos Games organizing committee.

The deadline for the submission of entries by names to the SEA Games is Oct. 26.

“We’re trying to finalize the size of the delegation before Oct. 10 so that we will have ample time for us to meet the deadline,” said Tanchangco.

According to Tanchangco, the Philippines will compete in 19 of the 25 sports in the Dec. 9 to 18 Games to be held in Vientiane.

Tanchangco will meet with the leaders of the national sports association competing in the 11-nation biennial Games on Monday to determine if there are any last-minute additions.

“We could still add more athletes and officials, but they will be subject to the approval of the PSC,” said the sepak takraw chief and second vice president of the POC.

Tanchangco pointed out that the P30 million earmarked by the PSC for the RP delegation to the Games could only accommodate 250 athletes and officials.

Of the P30 million, Tanchangco said P10 million would be spent on equipment while the rest would be for the airfare, hotel and accommodations, transportation and allowances.

Each delegation member is entitled to a $300 allowance for the duration of the Games. The PSC will shell out $50 daily for the accommodation of each athlete and official.