TRAP includes Cebu in developmental program for 2007

The Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) is involving Cebu in its plan to create a developmental program for 2007.

The program will, among others, not only focus skills development, but also on ethics and character building for the athletes, coaches, and technical officials.

"We are faced with a dearth of local talents so we have a lot of work to do to develop triathlon. That is why we will put emphasis on our nation-wide talent search program," said TRAP president Tom Carrasco.

TRAP has appointed Rick Reyes and former national champion Ani de Leon to handle the junior triathlon program on a full-time basis.

"We will also host a junior training camp in Subic in July this year. It is supported by the International Triathlon Union, the Asian Triathlon Confederation and triathlon's international sponsor, British Gas (BG)," Carrasco said.

Aside from that, the elite athletes will get another opportunity to compete and train abroad with an eye for a podium finish in both the triathlon and duathlon events in the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand.

On the other hand, a level 1 coaches accreditation seminar to be conducted by ITU Sports Development Director Libby Burrell is on line for the coaches.

For the rest of the triathlon enthusiasts, there will be different competitions lined up, including the National Triathlon Championship on February 18 at The Lakeshore in Mexico, Pampanga, the Subic International Triathlon on May 5-6,the 02 Long Distance Triathlon also in Subic come July and the nationwide Speedo National Age Group Triathlon series.

For the SPEEDO NAGT Series, the venues include Danao City, Clearwater Clark, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Los Baños, The Lakeshore in Pampanga, and in Ayala-Alabang, Muntinlupa.

Duathlon and aquathlon will also have its own share of races to complement TRAP's schedule of triathlon events.