Team RP vies in BIMP-EAGA

Team Philippines, composed of selected athletes from focus areas of Palawan and Mindanao, competes in the sixth Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Areas (BIMP-EAGA) slated Nov. 28-30 in Brunei Darussalam.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William “Butch” Ramirez leads the 96-man contingent in the Games considered vital in the government’s effort to strengthen its relationship with member countries.

Selected  athletes in focus areas of Palawan, Davao, Panabo, Davao del Sur, Tagum, Marawi, Iligan, Lanao del Sur, Koronadal, and General Santos composed the RP delegation.

The organizers tapped only six sports to be played in the three days meet such as athletics, badminton, futsal, lawn tennis, sepak takraw and swimming.

Deputy Head of Delegation and Project Director Joseph Encabo, who attended series of meetings for the event’s preparation, stressed the BIMP-EAGA Games is not merely a competition but aim to intensify interaction among athletes, coaches and both sports and government officials, enhance unity and cooperation among the youth; and to showcase the socio-economic, cultural and educational development of the host country.

In the 2006 Games hosted by South Sulawesi, Makassar City, Team Mindanao-Philippines placed third in over-all team standing with a total of 13 gold, 12 silver and three bronze medals.

Team Sabah, Malaysia was the defending overall champion.