Buhain to bare government support to Asian trackfest

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain will be the guest of honor and speaker on the launching of the country’s hosting of the 15th Asian Athletics Association Championships on Monday at the Tiara Hotel at Malugay St., Makati City.

Buhain, the youngest to assume the PSC chairmanship in its 12 years of existence, is expected to formally announce the government sports agency’s support of the prestigious Asian trackfest.

Slated on Sept. 18-23, it will be the Philippines’ third time to stage the multi-nation tournament, the first in 1973 on its inaugural and the second, 20 years later, in 1993. The late Surigao Gov. Jose Sering, long-time PATAFA top honcho and two-time Philippine Olympic Committee chief, was the Association’s first president.

An outstanding swimmer during his prime, Buhain is also expected to outline the PSC’s own preparation that will include the improvement and refurbishing of the Rizal grandstand and track oval to suit international standards.

As a matter of procedure, an official of the Asian Athletics Association will conduct an inspection tour of the facilities weeks before the scheduled playdate.

According to organizing PATAFA head Go Teng Kok, Buhain has promised to earmark half of the P30 million budget, including putting up an athletes’ warm-up area, for the purpose.

Manila Mayor Joselito Atienza, who as host city executive will hand over the key as a traditional welcome gesture to the visiting delegations, has also confirmed his attendance in the launching rites.

Despite the tight economic situation, the Asian Championships remains a good vehicle to showcase the Philippines as a peaceful country as well as a business and tourist destination.

Go has singularly praised the PSC’s financial backing of the championships. "I am indebted to chairman Buhain who is committed to support the Asian trackfest but we will also do our share in raising other funds needed for the successful hosting. Forty-four member-countries will send their respective delegations and we must show our capability and hospitality to the hilt."

Long jumper Lerma Bulauitan-Gabito won a silver in the 2002 Asian edition held last year in Sri-Lanka. On the strength of the country’s last hosting of the meet in 1993 where the organizational capability of the Filipino men and women was prominently emphasized, the Philippines won the rights to host the tournament over Japan in the subsequent bidding.

Close to 1,000 athletes, coaches and officials, including foreign dignitaries are expected to take part. Earlier, the Department of Tourism, in a recent meeting with Go, has expressed full support for the Asian joust in helping ensure the comfort and security of the participating delegations.

Go said he was very happy that Secretary Richard Gordon himself has seen the great opportunity to share in the hosting because international sportsfests like this are tourism-boosters.

"We deeply appreciate Secretary Gordon’s support. This is what we really need at this time. We are reaching out to everybody who wants to lend a hand in helping promote the Philippines as a peace-loving nation and people."

Aside from Buhain and Gordon, all four members of the PSC board — commissioners William Ramirez, Leon Montemayor, Michael Barredo and Ambrosio de Luna — have also been invited to the event.