Local teams to test powerhouse squads in RP athletics open

MANILA, Philippines – Eleven teams, led by Asian Games powerhouse China, are out to challenge squads from the Philippines when the Milo-National Open Track and Field Championship kicks off next month in Lingayen, Pangasinan. The RP athletics open, sanctioned by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and organized by the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA), is slated from May 10 to 12 at the Don Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center. Aside from China, other countries that will be competing are South Korea, North Korea, Thailand, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong, Brunei, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan and Japan, making this year’s event as the most challenging and biggest in terms of foreign participation. The number of participants is expected to reach 1,000 as 40 local teams, bannered by the country’s top athletics stars already signed in. Qatar Asian Games silver medalist Rosalyn Samsu of Malaysia leads a stellar-cast of foreign athletes. Leading the Philippines’ charge are SEA Games record holder Henry Dagmil (long jump) and Arnel Ferrera (hammer throw), long jumper Marestela Torres, triple jumper Joebert Delicano and marathoner Eduardo Buenavista. The Pangasinan provincial government also allocated P25 million to refurbish the decades-old sports center built in 1994 as part of its preparation for the hosting of the Palarong Pambansa. They are also closely coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to ensure the security of all delegates during and after the tournament. – GMANews.TV