POC exec says 50-gold target in SEA Games achievable

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) sports and rules committee chairman Go Teng Kok has reiterated his forecast that the Filipino bets will win at least 50 gold medals in the 25th Southeast Asian Games which will unfold from December 9 to 18 in Laos. Go is banking on the efforts of athletes from his own athletics association, along with swimming and diving and billiards to deliver half of his target medals. The rest, he said, will come from the other 19 sports disciplines the national athletes will be competing in.

The outspoken official’s forecast came amid the continuing squabble between the leaders of POC and the Philippine Sports Commission over policies including the selection of the RP team. “I have talked with the coaches and athletes before and unless they are not saying the truth, I maintain my belief we can win 50 gold medals which is good for at least third place," Go said during a recent sports forum. He cited Vietnam and Thailand as the top contenders for the overall championship while the Philippines along with Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia will be locked in a dispute for third spot. “Kayang kaya natin na magkaroon ng 25 gold medals from athletics, swimming, diving and billiards. Kaya lalo natin makuha ang 25 pang gold medals sa ibang sports. Kaya paniwalang-paniwala ako na hindi bababa sa 50 ang makukuha nating gold medals sa Laos," a confident Go added. Athletics, for one, can win up to 10 gold medals since a number of his athletes are ranked no. 1 in their respective events. The return of lady marathoner Christabel Martes to the national team further gives the athletics team a “sure gold medal." Martes was earlier axed from the line-up for defying the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association’s order for the Laos-bound athletes not to compete in the National Milo Marathon Finals. But Go had a changed of heart after Milo Sports Executive Pat Goc Ong and POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. appealed for Martes’ reinstatement. Other sure gold medalists, according to Go, are marathoner Eduardo Buenavista, steeplechaser Rene Herrera, hammer thrower Arniel Ferrera, and long jumpers Marestella Torres and Henry Dagmil. “Our scouting reports from performances of our athletes against SEAG athletes show that 20K walk bet Michael Embuedo, 10,000 and 5000 meter runner Julius Sermona and women’s javelin thrower Rosie Villarito are the best in the region. So I’m really confident we can easily surpass the five gold medals we won (in athletics) in Thailand (2007 SEA Games)," Go boasted. A total of 25 sports disciplines will be played in Laos and aside from athletics, aquatics (swimming, diving and water polo) and billiards, the Philippines will be seeing action in archery, badminton, beach volley, boxing, golf, judo, karatedo, muay, pencak silat, petanque, sepak takraw, shooting, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu and cycling. The country is hoping to rebound big after a worst-ever showing in the SEAG in 2007 when the national contingent placed sixth overall with 42 gold, 91 silver and 96 bronze medals. - GMANews.TV