PHL to join 'Summer Universiade' in China

The Philippines will take part in the 26th Summer Universiade in Shenzhen, China on August 12 to 23, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Some 13,000 athletes and coaches from more than 100 countries will compete for 306 gold medals in 24 disciplines in the event, the DFA said. Expected to represent the Philippines are 58 athletes, 11 team leaders and officials, and 11 coaches in athletics, archery, beach volleyball, badminton, basketball, chess, table tennis and swimming, the DFA said in a news release. The Shenzhen Universiade will be held in more than 60 venues, all of which are suitable to the Olympiades. Alvin Tai Lian, President of the Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Federation (FCAAF), will head the Philippine delegation. Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, the president of the Basketball Association of the Philippines, will attend the opening ceremony with his wife Arlene. Trillanes will be the guest of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), the DFA said. FESSAP is the official member of the International University Sports Federation (FISU) in the Philippines. - VVP, GMA News Former Sen. Anna Dominique Coseteng, the team leader of the swimming delegation, will attend the opening and the closing ceremonies of the Universiade. Shenzhen is one of the most important cities in China, being an economic powerhouse as well as a tourist attraction. Known as the first city for the reform and opening up 'Chinese miracle,' it was just a small fishing village called Bao'an County 20 years ago.