THE country will be fielding 560 athletes who will compete in 38 sports in the 31st Southeast Asian Games that Vietnam is hosting later this year.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino made the announcement on Thursday, adding that the athletes will be vying in 560 events in the Games set from November 21 to December 2.
Tolentino, however, said the number could still be reduced as they are basically entries by numbers culled from discussions with the various national sports associations early this week.
“The basis of selection primarily hinged on those athletes who won medals [of any color] in the 2019 SEA Games that we hosted,” Tolentino said. “We also looked at events where the potential of winning the gold medal is very high, as justified by an athlete or athletes performance in 2019.”
As host in 2019, the country fielded its biggest ever delegation at 1,115 athletes.
The Vietnam organizers set a March 21 deadline for the submission of entries by numbers. The deadline for the entries by names is in August.
The list was presented and approved by the POC executive board which met on Thursday afternoon at the East Ocean Seafoods Restaurant in Parañaque City.
Team sports make up the bulk of team Philippines, Tolentino said.
“For basketball we already have 38 for both men and women and we also have 3X3,” he said. “Volleyball has 36 also for men and women, plus the beach volleyball. Aquatics has 17.”
The Philippines emerged overall champion in 2019 with a huge haul of 149 gold, 117 silver and 121 bronze medals. But Tolentino said that would be a tough act to repeat in Vietnam.
“It’s going to be the best effort of every athlete,” he said.
The list, he added, would be forwarded to chef de mission Ramon Fernandez and to the Philippine Sports Commission.
Tolentino said discussions on the budget for training, preparation and participation will immediately proceed.
“Now that we have the figures to work around on, matters on budget and funding could now be discussed,” he said.