Manila, Philippines, April 19, 2023: The 840-strong Philippine team to the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia next month has the full backing of the Philippine Sports Commission, the Daily Tribune reports.
The government agency is throwing its 100 percent support behind team Philippines’ bid in terms of funding, supplies, manpower and logistics.
The country’s challenge will be anchored by Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games boxing silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio as well as world gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo and world No. 3 pole vaulter EJ Obiena.
Also worth watching are weightlifters Erleen Ando and Vanessa Sarno, who are tipped to step up in the absence of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, now in the thick of training for qualification to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A send-off party will be held on Monday, April 24 at the Philippine International Convention Center with no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gracing the affair.
At the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi last year, the Philippines wound up fourth overall behind perennial SEA Games heavyweight Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. The Philippines had a gold-silver-bronze medal tally of 52-70-104.
The 32nd SEA Games will be held in Cambodia for the first time in history, in the capital Phnom Penh and four co-hosting provinces from May 5-17. Over 12,000 athletes and officials from the 11 National Olympic Committees in the region have registered to take part.
Source: https://tribune.net.ph