PH ATHLETES HANDA NA SA AKSIYON SA 11TH ASEAN PARA GAMES

SURAKARTA, Indonesia – Nakahanda na ang Filipino para-athletes na magpakitang-gilas sa pormal na pagbubukas ng 11th ASEAN Para Games ngayong Sabado sa 20,000-seat Manahan Stadium dito.

Pangungunahan ni powerlifter Achelle ‘Jinky’ Guion bilang standard-bearer, isang maliit na grupo ng 30 athletes, coaches, at officials ang dadalo sa ethnic-inspired colorful program sa hometown ni Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Inanunsiyo ni national team chef de mission Walter Torres na ang 30-man contingent sa opening day parade ay magmumula sa 10 sports na lalahukan ng bansa sa weeklong meet gathering ng top para-athletes mula sa 11 bansa sa Southeast Asia.

“For health and safety reasons, we decided not to include representatives from swimming because their competition venue is in the city of Semarang, which is about two hours from Surakarta,” sabi ni Torres. “Our athletes will be all clad in tracksuits provided by the Philippine Sports Commission,” dagdag pa niya sa kampanya ng mga Pinoy na suportado ng PSC.

“The Games will start soon. Achieve your dreams and let your disability be your wings to aim and fly high…be it not your anchor to pull and drag you down. I am confident that you will make things happen. All the best to Para Team Philippines!” paalala ni CDM Torres sa mga atleta.

Bukod kina Torres at deputies Irene Remo at Tricia Rana, ang mga dadalo sa inaugural rites ay sina Athletics – Randy Magcawas, Arvie John Arreglado, King James Reyes, at Maekel Lita; Archery – William Cablog and Dina Managdang; Badminton- Julie Peral Guadayo and Johnlo Respicio; Chess- Cheyzer Mendoza, Cheryl Angot, Evangeline Gamao, Felix Aguilera and Patrisha Anne Salgado; Boccia – David Gonzaga and Ruel Fernando; Judo – Rezil Rosalejos and Mary Ann Taguinod; Table Tennis – Gerald Tuazon and Homber Tiongson; Goalball – Jorge Lucero, Marco Lucero, Fred Estacion; Powerlifting – Guion, Nikki Vidal, Rico Canlas; Sitting volleyball – Mayie Procina at Orwen Elumir.

Hinikayat ni Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo, na dumating dito noong Miyerkoles, kapwa ang mga beterano at rookies na sumabak sa Games “with a positive mindset and winning attitude. If you feel nervous that’s okay because even the best athletes have jitters. Use it to pump up the adrenaline and I pray that our veterans and newcomers feed off each other’s energy and inspire one another. After all, we are one family. Let’s all go for the gold!”

Mula sa Manila, si PSC executive director, at officer-in-charge Atty. Guillermo Iroy Jr. ay mayroon ding inspiring words para sa PH campaigners na sasabak dito.

“Some, if not most, of our national para-athletes have not had international competition for the last four to five years. So now make the most of the opportunity to shine and bring glory to our country,” ani Iroy.