RP to host intl archery events sans National stars

MANILA, Philippines – Beijing Olympian Mark Javier and Southeast Asian Games multi gold medalist Amaya Paz will be missing all the action when the country hosts two international archery tournaments next month. Javier and Paz will not be included in the Philippine team when the National Archery Association of the Philippines hosts the third leg of the Asian Grand Prix and Southeast Asian Archery Championships from October 25 to 31 at the Ateneo football field. Javier, who was the lone RP archer in the Beijing Games, decided to skip the two tournaments, citing his need to rest after enduring a long and grueling preparation for the last Olympics. “We’re still trying to convince Javier to join the team. It’s a pity if he would not see action in a big tournament held in the country. But we won’t force him and we will respect whatever decision he will make," said NAAP president Dr. Leonora Fe Brawner. Paz, meanwhile, is expecting a child. She won two gold medals in the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand and joined Jennifer Chan and Abbigail Tindugan to win the women’s team gold in the compound event in the first leg at Bangkok. This will be the first time in almost 20 years that the country hosts an international archery tournament. The Philippines hosted the Asia Cup in 1991. Close to 20 countries are expected to join in the two-in-one international competition with no less than international federation (FITA) secretary-general Tom Deilen invited as guest of honor. Korea and China leads the competitors in the Grand Prix which will be held from October 25 to 29 while Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand banner the field in the SEA Championships set from October 30 and 31. A total of 36 gold medals will be at stake in the compound and recurve events, with the Philippines eligible to field two teams – each composed of six men and six women – for being the tournament hosts. “We have a lot of young archers who can make the national team. But of course we expect to win a medal in the compound event with the women’s team anchored by Chan and Tindugan," added Brawner. Chan won the individual gold in the Bangkok leg as she set a new Asian record of 119, one point shy from the perfect score of 120 points. A two day qualifying event will be held in Bacolod (September 19) and at PhilSports in Pasig City (October 2) to determine the members of the national team. – GMANews.TV