MANILA, Philippines – Soon, national athletes and coaches serving in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and working in the frontlines amid the COVID-19 pandemic will get to start training in preparation for the 31st Southeast Asian Games set November 21 to December 2 in Hanoi, Vietnam. In a letter signed by PSC chairman William Ramirez to AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana through Col. Rocky Binag, the government sports-funding agency is eyeing the renewal of 100 national athletes and coaches until the end of the year. Also in the list are Southeast Asian Games athletics gold medalists Aries Toledo (decathlon), Clinton Bautista (110m hurdles) and Anfernee Lopena (mixed 4x100m relay). With a DS order, athletes and coaches will be pulled out from the front lines where they are currently stationed and be allowed to train under their respective national sports associations (NSAs). In fact, only 2016 Rio Olympics weightlifting silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, who has trained in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for a year now, was given a DS order being a strong gold medal bet in Tokyo.

Source: Philippine Star March 24, 2021 06:43 UTC