CHEF DE MISSION Monsour del Rosario aired confidence the Philippines will finish inside the top three in the overall medals race of the 30th Southeast Asian Games the country is hosting from November 30 to December 10.
Del Monsour said that although he would want Filipino athletes to emerge as overall champions, finishing in the top 3 is a more realistic goal.
The Philippines has never finished better than sixth place since emerging on top of the tally board in the 2005 edition it hosted with 112 gold, 85 silver and 93 bronze medals.
“That’s my target [third place]. That’s my modest projection,” del Rosario said during the one-year countdown ceremony and unveiling of the 30th SEA Games logo and mascot at the Bayanihan Park in Clark, Pampanga.
“But if we can win the overall championship, our Christmas will be really happy in 2019,” he stressed.
Del Rosario said that a lot have changed in the Southeast Asian region that contributed to the success of top nations Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam.
“The experiences are different, especially the technology. It has improved, and it helped them,” he said.
Del Rosario and the 10 other chiefs of mission from the SEA Games member countries inspected facilities at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
A modern athletics and aquatics center is being constructed at the New Clark City. Clark will host 22 of the 56 sports on the Philippines SEA Games program.
Del Rosario has appointed fellow taekwondo champion Stephen Fernandez and Charlie Ho of netball as his deputies.
The Philippine Olympic Committee will decide among Ada Mliby of rubgy, Pearl Managuelod of muay, Jonne Go of canoe kayak or Princess Kiram of pencak silat as the female chef de mission.