ALMOST 500 athletes representing Team Philippines in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8 and the 4th Asian Para Games from Oct. 22 to 28 are expected to participate in the sendoff ceremony today, Monday, at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
The event, set to start at 11 a.m., is organized by the Philippine Sports Commission, with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin invited to provide the inspiration for the national squad.
“Our athletes are the heart and soul of the country’s campaign in Hangzhou, both in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games,” said PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann.
Team Philippines sent 271 athletes to the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta/Palembang in 2018, with the squad bringing home four gold, two silver and 15 bronze medals as the Nationals finished 19th overall.
Delivering the gold medals were golfer Yuka Saso (women’s individual and team events), weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz (53kg) and skateboarder Margielyn Didal.
“With the all-out support from our national government through the PSC, I’m positive that our athletes will deliver,” added Bachmann, who will be joined by Commissioners Bong Coo, Fritz Gaston, Edward Hayco, and Walter Torres.
Officials from the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Paralympic Committee, National Sports Associations and Team Philippines Chef de Mission Richard Gomez are also expected to attend.
The PSC said all competing athletes will be provided monetary allowance during the course of the Games, regardless of their classifications (Categories A and B) originally set by the POC and the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee.
