Pangasinan hosts RP Open track

MANILA, Philippines - The province of Pangasinan is putting its best foot forward to ensure the successful staging of the foreign-flavored Milo National Open track and field championships May 10-12.

The event, according to Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association president Go Teng Kok, will be held at the well-kept Narciso Ramos Sports Complex in Lingayen.

This early, Dagupan City Mayor and Patafa chairman Alipio Fernandez, and Pangasinan provincial administrator Raffy Baraan have guaranteed the success of the event.

“We are all excited with this undertaking, especially the province of Pangasinan under Gov. Amado Espino,” said Fernandez of the governor, a former congressman and PNP regional director.

In yesterday’s press launch at the Ambassador Hotel, Go said invitations have been sent to countries like Korea, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka and even Russia.

The event, which features 43 events except marathon, will serve as a tune-up for the Pinoy track and field bets to the 25th SEA Games in Laos in December.

Go said Patafa will send 22 athletes to Laos, and he hopes they can win at least eight gold medals, and improve on their 2007 finish of five gold, seven silver and nine bronze medals.

“We expect more than a thousand athletes, and the foreigners whom we have invited are excited to go to Pangasinan. We hope that the Russians, not necessarily their top athletes, could come,” said Go.

During the press conference, Go also called for a truce among the warring officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

“Maybe we can find a way how they could reconcile because it’s the athletes, and the NSAs (national sports associations) who are being caught in between,” said Go.

“Yes, I am close to POC president Jose Cojuangco but we cannot let them quarrel as we head to the Laos SEA Games where we have a better chance of winning medals than in 2007.” – Abac Cordero