POC eyes stricter selection process for SEAG team

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) will have stricter guidelines when choosing the athletes that will be part of the national team that will compete in the 25th Laos Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in December. The Philippines is hoping to bounce back after having its worst finish in the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand placing sixth with 42 gold, 91 silver and 96 bronze medals. It was the country’s worst showing after emerging on top in 2005 when the games were held in Manila. Laos SEA Games Chef de Mission Mario Tanchangco met with representatives of the 25 National Sports Associations (NSAs) to come up with the criteria that will be used in selecting the athletes. Tanchangco said strict measures are needed if the country wants to send the best team. He hopes to finish the selection of athletes by March. “We have placed stringent measures since we want to send only the best possible athletes. We also did this to see how many athletes can qualify because we only have a P30 million budget to work with," said Tanchangco, the current Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) vice president and sepak trakraw president. Gold and silver medal winners in the last SEA Games are already shoo-ins for the national team. Bronze medalists, who in the past SEA Games were also given outright seats, this time need will have to qualify by winning a gold or silver medal in SEA Games level competitions. Athletes who placed eight overall in Asian and world level events were China, Korea and Japan have also participated will also be included in the team. Tanchangco said there are other guidelines for the athletes’ inclusion but it will all depend on POC executive committee’s approval. “We have set guidelines for new athletes or sports events who want to join the delegation. They have no performance to speak off but their entry will depend on the approval from the POC executive committee or if there are funds left for them." – GMANews.TV