Athletes ready for SEAG war, says Angping

MANILA, Philippines - The Filipino athletes to the Laos SEA Games are all dressed up and ready to go.

For the first time in recent years, everything concerning the athletes’ needs are in place ahead of schedule, from their allowances, plane tickets and uniforms, according to Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping.

The PSC chief is throwing a send-off party for all 153 athletes, which the government sports agency are funding for the Laos event. The affair is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Panulukan Grill and Restaurant in Manila.

Angping said during the party, all the athletes who are either gold or silver medalists in the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand will receive their allowances in advance. Their track suits and luggage have been released last week.

“Yes, they’re all dressed up and ready to go,” said Angping, who also made sure there won’t be any travel woes for the athletes by chartering a Philippine Airlines flight from Manila to Laos at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

Because of the chartered flight, some of the athletes will get to Laos much earlier than their competition dates, and stay there a few days after they’re wrapped up their participation.

“But they don’t have to worry because they will be paid for their extended stays before and after their competitions. If they stay there for 12 days then they get $360 on top of the extra $100 from the PSC,” said Angping.

The PSC chairman, a former congressman in Manila, said he’s not going to Laos because there was no courtesy extended to him to be there.

“There was no invitation so I’m not going. I don’t plan to gate-crash, unless it’s the White House where I get world-wide publicity,” said Angping, probably the first PSC chairman never to attend the SEA Games abroad.

“But even if I’m not going, I’ve made sure everything’s ready. Their uniforms are with them, their luggage, there will be no problems with their travel and their allowances will be distributed tomorrow (today),” he said.

He explained that it cost the PSC a little more for chartering a flight but said it’s all worth it just to save the athletes all the hassles of traveling from Manila to either Bangkok or Ho Chih Minh just to get to Laos.                          – Abac Cordero