CHENGDU. — Team Philippine Chef de Mission Stephen Arapoc is unfazed by the looming challenges faced by Pinoy athletes in the World Games here.
The muay thai president is confident the 47-strong PH delegation would do well in the 11-day competition, with some of them even getting marked by foreign rivals, a rarity in international competitions.
“With teamwork and strong support from the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, there is no doubt we will produce champions here,” said Arapoc, who is flying to this Chinese city Wednesday afternoon.
With world champions and veterans in the mix, Team Philippines is set to go in the games being held in this ultramodern metropolis that has rolled out the red carpet from the Tianfu Airport to the humongous billeting complex.
Wushu stars Agatha Wong and Jones Inso, and cable wakeboarder Raph Trinidad tasted the world-class treatment upon arriving Tuesday morning.
Minus the language barrier that has created confusion and friendship afterwards, everything felt just like home — the kindness, the delectable selection of food at the big dining area, and the surprising hot weather like in Manila.
“Food and room are great, so far everything is okay,” said floorball president Marco Ortiz, whose team will go into action against Latvia Thursday morning.
With everyone about to settle down at the Tianfu International Hotel Complex — one of the two “Villages” for the athletes and officials — Team Philippines is slowly getting the manpower with the arrival of the dragon boat team, muay standout Rudzma Abubakar, and the duathlon squad led by Kim Mangrobang on Wednesday.
