200 Pinoy athletes to join Guangzhou Asiad

Around 200 Filipino athletes, aside from government officials and supporters, are expected to go to China for the 16th Asian Games (Asiad) in November. According to a news article on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website on Wednesday, foreign affairs and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) officials met earlier this month to discuss the country's participation in the Asiad in Guangzhou, China from November 12 to 27. "The list currently contains 160 athletes, and the number could go up to 200," said Mauricio Martelino, POC delegation head and the 16th Asian Games Philippine Deputy Chef de Mission. The POC said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officials will also be part in the official delegation to the Asiad. These include PSC Chairman Ricardo Garcia, Commissioners Salvador Andrada and Joaquin "Chito" Loyzaga, and Executive Director Geraldine Bernardo. The Philippine Consul General in Guangzhou, Joselito Jimeno, met with POC officials on September 8 to discuss preparations for the Asiad. Judoka John Baylon and weight-lifter Hidilyn Diaz will participate in the torch relay on November 10. The POC officials said the Philippines is expected to win gold medals in billiards, considering that Filipino cue artists are considered "world-class." Another athlete expected to win the gold medal is long jumper Marestella Torres, who claimed the top prize during the last Asian Athletics Championship. Medals are also expected from taekwondo, boxing, and other combative sports. –VVP/RCJ, GMANews.TV