Cebu ICG bets leave for Bangkok today

A team of 22 Cebu bets will be leaving for Thailand today to represent Cebu City in the 2006 International Children's Games in Bangkok from August 24-29.

The Cebu squad, lead by Florentino "Buddy" Solon Jr., will be the country's lone representative to the multi-event meet. They will be facing bets from 81 cities from around 39 countries all over the world.

The Cebuanos will be competing in four sporting events including dancesport, tennis, table tennis and swimming.

This will be the first time that Cebu will be joining in dancesport. It is not known, however, whether the sport of dancing will be also be held for the first time in the ICG, said to be the world's largest multi-sport youth games supported by the International Olympic Committee.

Competing in dancesport are Inoue Roi Rendon of the University of Cebu and Christy Kim P. Velez of Immaculate Heart of Mary Academy, University of Southern Philippines-Foundation's Jefferson Z. Pimentel and Daine Xylenne L. Balili along with coach Tomas Auden Ingan; table tennis will have Gillian Krystle M. Ypil and Krizia Kim D. Young of Sacred Heart School-Jesuit with May Christine Joy S. Diaz as coach.

In lawn tennis, two of the three Siso siblings, Team Cebu City's (TCC) members Sally Mae and Nino, both from the University of San Carlos-South Campus will be joined by Jessica Clarise T. Lagman of Sacred Heart School-Hijas de Jesus under coach Jess Lagman.

In swimming, there will be five bets namely Patricia and John Sebastian Solon and Loren Dale B. Echavez from the USC South Campus, Josemari Lozano of Sacred Heart School-Jesuit and Kirstenyl L. Amante from the University of San Jose-Recoletos.

The swimming team will be coached by Benjoe P. Gimenez and Domingo C. Amante.

Along with the athletes and coaches is Romulo Echavez as head of athletes.

The Cebuano squad's entry in the ICG is being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) led by chairman William Butch Ramirez, Cebu Vice-Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jess Lagman, Manny and Carmina Manuel of Scitechs Digital Solutions and GNM Printing House, and John Chen of China Travel Service and the Cebu City Government through the efforts of Councilors Jack Jakosalem and Jocelyn Pesquera for DTCC. DTCC Director Ed Hayco also has extended his full assistance to the group.