RP pencak silat team in Cebu

The national team for pencak silat arrived here in Cebu City yesterday to starts its familiarization and training for the 23rd Southeast Asian Games set late this year at the Cebu Coliseum.

The pencak silat squad is composed of 14 males and seven females. They were accompanied by nine coaches and trainers.

The team, which will be joined later this week by the sepak takraw bets, are staying at the newly-renovated Cebu City Sports Center dormitory.

The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is taking care of the stay of the athletes until the SEA Games.

A total of 13 air-conditioning units were placed in the dormitory to ensure that the athletes will be leaving comfortably. Each aircon unit is said to be costing more than P20,000.

The dormitory also has a lobby where a television set with cable system will be installed soon. Pillows, sleeping mats and lockers are also provided for the athletes and coaches.

The male and female rooms will also have an attendant and security guards each to ensure the cleanliness of the surroundings and safety of the athletes and their belongings.

The PSC is hiring a caterer for the athletes and coaches to ensure that they will be eating nutritious food as they go for the gold in the SEA Games.

In another development, PSC Commissioner and PHILSOC official Richie Garcia is expected to be in Danao City today to meet with Mayor Ramon Durano III to discuss about the pre-SEA Games mountainbike competition and SEA Games proper with councilor Oscar "Boying" Rodriguez, Jr.