POC approves 205 bets for Doha Asiad

Two hundred five Filipino athletes, competing in individual events, have made it to the initial list of the Philippine contingent bound for the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar late this year.

The country’s gold medal winners in last year’s 23rd SEA Games led the roster recommended by the Asian Games Task Force and approved by the POC Executive Committee in a meeting yesterday.

The contingent was bigger than the one the country sent in the Busan Asiad in 2002, with the roster expected to swell further when the teams from softball, water polo and baseball are included later.

"Their inclusion in the delegation now depends on the P30 million budget allotted by the Philippine Sports Commission. They would be included if they could be covered by the funds," said Asiad Task Force chairman Go Teng Kok.

"Softball is given the top priority in the list followed by water polo and baseball. Softball is given the first crack at the team since it has the best chance of winning a medal," Go added.

Despite the huge number, the contingent has yet to include top medal prospects like the Filipino boxers and bowlers who are to see action in their respective qualifying tourneys.

From the original list of 187 athletes, the number reached 205 yesterday due to the inclusion of five athletes from wrestling, four from archery, three each from judo and shooting and two from lawn tennis. Around 40 officials will join the RP delegation.

The Philippines sent less than 200 athletes in Busan and went home with three gold medals.

The Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee (Dagoc) has given all participating countries until October or two months before the Games to submit their entries by number. Submission of entries by name is set Sept. 1.