H1N1 no threat to RP Track Open

MANILA, Philippines – Nothing – not even the threat of the deadly A (H1N1) influenza virus – can dim the enthusiasm in making the 2009 National Open Track and Field Championships a total success.

Dagupan City Mayor Al Fernandez, whose city, along with the province of Pangasinan, headed by Gov. Amado Espino, is hosting the annual event set to start tomorrow, declared that it’s all systems go as the Open is concerned.

“Seven of the foreign countries which confirmed their participation will already be in town at the end of the day today,” Fernandez said in a long distance telephone interview, referring to the arrival in Dagupan of the delegations from Vietnam, Brunei, South Korea and Malaysia, which is sending three teams.   

The contingent from Brunei was expected to fly in last night, Fernandez, chair of the organizing Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association, said.

PATAFA president Go Teng Kok, for his part, said during yesterday’s Accel-sponsored Scoop weekly session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura that teams from South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Singapore are expected not later than today.