ASIAN GAMES OPENS THIS FRIDAY
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 17 Sep 2014
No more than 20 athletes and an equal number of team officials will comprise a tiny segment of Philippine representation that will be joining the opening day parade of the 17th Asian Games on Friday at the Incheon Asiad Main Stadium.
This is because while delegations representing the 40 plus member countries of the Olympic Council of Asia have been arriving at the Games site as early as last week, the Philippine contingent had just started flying to the host city only last Monday. As of Tuesday, only nine athletes representing windsurfing, shooting and rowing had flown to Incheon accompanied by five team officials Monday.
The bulk of the 150-man PH contingent Filipino, in fact, will start flying to South Korea today when 16 athletes and 10 officials, representing Judo, weightlifting, wushu, fencing and tennis will be joining the early arrivals to be with the advance party, headed by Philippine Sports Commission chair and chef de mission Richie Garcia who had been in the host city as early as last week.
Philippine Olympic Committee president and delegation head Jose ?Peping? Cojuangco and other delegation officials will be leaving for Incheon no later than Saturday a day after celebrating his 80th birthday, which falls on the Games opening day.
The basketball team, which could have joined the opening day March will also be arriving in Incheon on Saturday along with the main bulk of 46 athletes and 20 team officials.
Heading today?s departures are the strong wushu contingents made up of medal prospects Daniel Parantac, Clemento Tabugara Jr., Jean Claude Saclag, Francisco Solis and Evita Elise Zamora, who will be accompanied by team officials Tong Quinghai, Ma qing, Mark Robert Rlosales, Liangyi Hong and Jimmy Ong.
Also leaving are tennis aces Ruben Gonzales Jr., Conrad Treat Huey, Patrick John Tierro, Katharina Melissa Lehnert and Denise Dy and team officials Chris Cuarto and Czarina Mae Arevalo; fencers Nathaniel Perez and Wilfred Richard Curioso and coach Venerando Garcia; lone lifter Nestor Colonia and coach Gregorio Colonia; and judoka Gilbert Ramirez.
The three-tanker swimming team ?Jessie King Lacuna, Joshua Hall and Jasmine Alkhaide accompanied by coach Jennifer Buffin will follow Thursday along with gymnast Reyland Capellan and Japanese coach Kugiyama Munehiro and basketball utility Arnolfo Bermeo. Geylord Coveta, who was recently designated as the national delegation?s flag-bearer in the pageantry-filled opening ceremony on Saturday flew earlier last Monday along with windsurfing teammate John Jarold Madrigal and coaches German Paz and Jeoffrey John Wooley.
Shooters Eric Ang and Hagen Alexander Topacio and armorer Mario Dasalla and rowers Roque Abala jr., Alvin Ampoasta, Nestor Cordova, Edgar Ilas and Benjamin Tolentino Jr. Along with team officials Benjamin Ramos Jr. And Edgardo Maerina rounded out the early birds Incheon making up a tiny segment of the Philippine delegation that will join the march past.
Also leaving Saturday are teams in archery, bowling, softball, triathlon and sailing with the boxing squad to follow on September 21. The Equestriennes, golfers will fly September 23, while teams in canoe-kayak, cycling, wrestling and athletics on September 24.
The last to leave are the teams in soft tennis on September 26 and taekwondo and rugby on September 27. Action in the 36-sports, 439-event conclave among the best in the region opens September 21 in water sports sailing and windsurfing.
The Filipinos are seeing action in 25 of 36 sports to be disputed.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Controversial Judges from Pacquiao-Barrios Fight Tapped for Canelo-Crawford Showdown
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 23 Aug 2025Levinson’s Gift: Runyon’s quiet revelation, Lawton’s last battle, and the first Filipino boxer
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Aug 2025Rodrigo to challenge undefeated Sandoval in US
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Aug 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Call to Action 12 Items for Boxers' Safety
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 22 Aug 2025Libranza vs Pangga headlines Elorde card on Aug 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Aug 2025GM Antonio to compete in P100,000 top prize Rapid chessfest this Sunday in Roxas City, Capiz Province
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Aug 2025AISAT Basic Ed football training starts
By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, Fri, 22 Aug 2025Josh Navarro Scores Another Win in Pomona, California
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 22 Aug 2025UNDEFEATED CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE SET TO FACE HEBI MARAPU FOR IBF PAN PACIFIC TITLE
Fri, 22 Aug 2025Dare To Enter: Undefeated WBC Interim Champion Vergil Ortiz to Defend Super Welterweight Title From Number 1 Contender Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin
Fri, 22 Aug 2025Euri Cedeno Takes on Willie Jones on Friday, September 5th at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA
Fri, 22 Aug 2025COE AND HART CLASH ON BOOTS ENNIS CARD IN PHILADELPHIA
Thu, 21 Aug 2025‘There's nothing that he brings to the table that I've not got an answer for’ Sam Rennie on upcoming fight at Thunderdome 51
Thu, 21 Aug 2025JAMAINE "THE TECHNICIAN" ORTIZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul: Exhibition Bout Announced for November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 21 Aug 2025