PATAFA head joins Afro-Asian Council

HYDERABAD, India–Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president Go Teng Kok became a member of the Afro-Asian Joint Council for athletics here Saturday.

In a meeting between leaders of the Asian Athletic Association and the African Athletic Confederation, it was decided upon that the president, senior vice president, secretary general and the vice presidents of both groups would consitute the Joint Council.

Go, being one of the 3As five vice-presidents, thus made it to the body that would decide when and where the second stage of the just conluded first Afro-Asian Games would be held.

"The creation of the Joint Council is intended to foster closer cooperation and liaison between the AAA and the AAC," said Go. "Combined, Afro-Asia would be a major power player in world athletics."

The Joint Council, according to Go, agreed that the Afro-Asian Games is going to be a quadrennial event and that the next edition would be hosted by an African nation.

Go,who was chef de mission of the Asian contingent in the nine-day meet participated in by more than 3,500 delegates, said the Joint Council will convene next year to discuss the salient points of the second Afro-Asian Games and other competitions and activities between the two continents.

"Eventually, it (joint Council) would pave the way for more tournaments from which our athletes tend to benefit in terms of exposure," said Go. "Imagine our tracksters competing against their counterparts from Kenya and the like, surely they’ll learn and improve a lot."

India’s Shri Suresh Kalmadi, 3As presideent, presided over the Joint Council meeting at the Hotel Taj Khrisna. Also in attendance were AAC president Ahmed Maboum Kalkaba and International Amateur Athletic Federation representative for Africa Leonard Chuene.

The Philippines was among the 43 Asian and 54 African countries which competed in the Games which closed Saturday at the GMC Balyogi Satdium. Boxer Harry Tanamor captured the gold in the lightfly division Friday to lift the Philippines to 15th overall in the medal tally dominated by China followed by India. The Filipinos also accounted for four silvers and ten bronzes.