PHILIPPINE Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo is exploring the possibility of scouting for promising para athletes with Filipino blood overseas to expand the national para athletics pool for international play.

“Similar to outstanding able-bodied Filipino athletes based overseas who want to represent our country in international competitions, we can perhaps also explore this area to broaden our national para athletic pool,” Barredo said after the recent 17th Paris Paralympic Games.

It was notable that among the members of the Philippine Olympic contingent in Paris, four – gymnasts Aleah Finnegan, Emma Malabuyo and Levi Ruivivar and hurdler Lauren Hoffman – are based in the United States while judoka Kiyomi Watanabe has been living in Japan.

“Perhaps there might be talented para athletes abroad who might take an interest in competing for the Philippines in international meets and we will be open to that idea as long they are eligible to compete based on our laws,” the PPC chief said.

He was encouraged by the performance of the six standard-bearers who saw action in the French capital, led by rookie wheelchair thrower Cendy Asusano who emerged fourth in the women’s javelin throw F54 event with a personal best of 15.05 meters.

Para swimmer Angel Mae Otom also made a promising Paralympic Games debut, reaching the finals of the women’s 50-meter individual backstroke and butterfly, finishing sixth and fifth with times of 45.72 and 47.58 seconds, respectively.

Veteran para swimmer Ernie Gawilan, competing in his third straight Paralympic Games, finished sixth in the men’s 400-meter individual freestyle S7 finals while wheelchair racer and national team skipper Jerrold Mangliwan was eighth in the finals of the men’s 400-meter T52 race.

Para taekwondo jin Allain Ganapin reached the round-of-16 while fellow newbie and para archer Agustina Bantiloc reached the knockout round of the women’s compound event.

“Our athletes did their best and we’re proud of them and the silver lining is to learn from their experience here and that we should go back to basics so we can have more athletes and more choices,” Barredo said.

“The classification (of para athletes) should be done as early as possible, and we need more referees and technical officials. It’s all there, a blueprint, we just have to implement it. But of course this needs to be supported by funds,” he stressed.

Barredo reiterated his gratitude for the gesture of President Marcos Jr. who recognized the country’s Paralympians in Malacanang last week.

“This shows how all-inclusive our President is in citing our Paris Paralympic Games veterans in their effort to bring glory and honor to our country,” he pointed out.