Banayag out of Asian Games, tracksters down to 7

Jho-An Banayag, the country’s leading lady long-distance runner, has been dropped from the national team bound for the Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. This was disclosed by Go Teng Kok, president of the Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA), after a meeting with the coaching staff, which has decided to suspend Banayag for six months without allowance after the athlete broke the rules imposed by the association. Banayag competed in the Camsur Marathon last September 24 where she emerged as the top Filipina marathoner following her sixth-place finish. She negotiated the race in 2:58:35. Prior to his participation, Banayag was told by PATAFA not to see action in the 42.195-kilometer race as she is set to represent the country in the long-distance race of the 16th Asian Games. “A marathoner must not run a full marathon three months before the competition," explained Go. “I’ve talked to her before the race and she assured me she was not going to compete. So I was surprised when she changed her mind," added Go. PATAFA has been very strict as far as discipline of their athletes is concerned. The association has suspended Crecensiano Sabal and Christabel Martes for competing in unsanctioned races. “All our athletes must follow our rules and regulation," added Go. Banayag, who is receiving P15,000 from the Philippine Sports Commission, decided to compete in Camsur as she needed the prize money to support her family. The sixth-place finish rewarded Banayag P125,000. Banayag’s removal from the RP lineup brought the competitors down to seven -- Marestella Torres and Henry Dagmil in long jump, Danilo Fresnido and Rosie Villarito in javelin throw, Arniel Ferrera in hammer throw, Rene Herrera in steeplechase and Eduardo Buenavista in marathon. - RCJ, GMANews.TV