HALOS 500 atleta na kakatawan sa Team Philippines sa 19th Asian Games sa Hangzhou, China simula September 23 hanggang October 8 at sa 4th Asian Para Games sa October 22-28 ang inaasahang dadalo sa sendoff ceremony ngayong Lunes sa Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Reception Hall sa Pasay City.
Inimbitahan sa 11 a.m. event na inorganisa ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) na pinamumunuan ni Chairman Richard Bachmann si Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin upang magbigay ng inspirasyon sa national squad na sasabak sa quadrennial meet.
“Our athletes are the heart and soul of the country’s campaign in Hangzhou, both in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games,” sabi ni Chairman Bachmann.
Ang opening ceremony ay gaganapin sa Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo Center, May 481 events sa 61 disciplines ang paglalabanan.
Ang Team Philippines ay nagpadala ng 271 atleta sa 18th Asian Games sa Jakarta/Palembang noong 2018 at nag-uwi ng 4 golds, 2 silvers at 15 bronzes para sa 19th place finish.
Ang golden performances ng bansa sa naturang taon ay nagmula kina golfer Yuka Saso (women’s individual and team events), weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz (53kg) at skateboarder Margielyn Didal.
“With the all-out support from our national government through the PSC, I’m positive that our athletes will deliver,” dagdag ng sports agency chief, na sasamahan nina PSC Commissioners Bong Coo, Fritz Gaston, Edward Hayco, at Walter Torres sa event.
Inaasahan din ang pagdalo sa sendoff rites ng mga opisyal ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) at Philippine Paralympic Committee (PPC), ng iba’t ibang National Sports Associations at ni Team Philippines Chef de Mission Richard Gomez.
-CLYDE MARIANO
