MEMBERS of the national chess and cricket teams left yesterday for the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games, eight days ahead of the official opening ceremonies on May 5.
Grandmaster Eugene Torre, Asia’s first GM, and Woman Grandmaster Janelle Frayna lead the 11-man national chess team that will compete in the ouk chaktrang event, a Cambodian chess variant introduced by the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee for the 32nd edition of the biennial meet.
In last year’s Hanoi SEA Games, the national chess team garnered two silver and three bronze medals.
The cricket team, led by Faisal Khan, also left yesterday.
Six-a-side captain Jennifer Olmillo Alumbro and T10 captain Simranjeet Figuerra Sirah are among the athletes bannering the squad.
This will be the second time cricket will be played in the SEA Games since it was first introduced in the 2017 edition of the biennial competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The members of the national sailing team composed of Josa Gonzales, Ronelio Castelio, Teogenes Villando, and Jeanson Lumapas and Pinoy windsurfers who left last April 18 were among the early departures.
The sailing team won 3 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze in the 2019 edition, while the windsurfing team bagged 2 gold medals and 1 silver. Both events were not held in Vietnam.
The national teams of hockey, triathlon, and volleyball will leave along with a few PSC support staff this Saturday, April 29.
