SEAG council agrees to add billiards

The country's bid to have a better finish in the 26th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Indonesia gained ground after the SEAG Federation Council decided to keep billiards in the sporting calendar this November. The decision was made in a SEAGFC meeting on Friday at the Nusa Dua Hotel in Bali, Indonesia attended by a four-member Philippine delegation. "We're okay. Events which we lobbied for were approved by the Council," said Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman and head of delegation Monico Puentevella, who was joined by POC first vice president Manny Lopez, secretary general Steve Hontiveros and treasurer Julian Camacho. The SEAGFC members, made up of representatives of the 11 member nations, agreed to hold billiards competitions in the 8-ball singles and doubles event for men’s and women’s singles 8-ball and 9-ball. It was in these events where the Philippines won three gold medals in the 2009 Laos SEA Games, with Ronato Alcano bagging the 8-ball men's singles while Rubilen Amit swept the gold medals in women’s 8-ball and 9-ball singles. The body junked the proposed 10-ball event but agreed to add the men's English billiards singles and doubles and the 1-cushion and 3-cushion singles in Carom. The Philippines also strengthened its bid for medals in shooting with the host agreeing to include the 50m and 3m position for men and women's, 25m sports pistol for women, 25m rapid fire for men and running target for women, which are being played in the Olympics. The host also agreed to add men's and women's competitions in the Laser Open, 470 Class, RSX and Mistral in sailing, while also acceding to the Philippines’ request to include chess. The body also agreed to replace the men and women 1-meter springboard with the 3-meter springboard in diving, while the 69-kilogram division in weightlifting will also be included. The 26th SEAG will have 43 sports disciplines, with the host insisting that no more events can be added due to budgetary concerns. Because of this, the organizing committee also decided to reduce the number of events in boxing from 10 in Laos to eight — lightflyweight, flyweight, bantamweight, lightweight, light welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight. Puentevella said they are still hoping for arnis' and rugby's inclusion in the 2011 SEAG. "Despite the reduction in some sports, our drive for more medals remains strong because we have more chances now in shooting, billiards and sailing." The meeting will be the last to determine the sports and events to be held in Jakarta and Palembang as the sites of the 26th SEAG from November 11 to 25. Another meeting will be held sometime in November to determine the host of the 2015 Games after Cambodia declared they are not yet ready to hold the biennial Games. – JVP, KY, GMA News