Phl can win SEAG overall title - Camacho

MANILA, Philippines - For the deputy chef-de-mission of the Philippine delegation, winning the overall title in the 26th SEA Games in November is not a far-fetched idea.

 “It is attainable,” Julian Camacho, who is also the Philippine Olympic Committee treasurer, told yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue.

Camacho said it’s simple mathematics.

 “There are 42 sports in the SEA Games, and if every NSA (national sports association) wins two gold medals each then that’s 80-plus,” he said.

Eighty-plus gold medals in this SEA Games set Nov. 11-22 in Indonesia could be enough to win the overall title.

Jose Cojuangco, POC president, also said a couple of months ago that the Philippines is capable of regaining the overall title.

But that should be easier said than done.

Indonesia, as host, is hell-bent in winning on home turf. Then there’s Thailand, Vietnam or even Malaysia and Singapore.

The Philippines must beat each one of these countries to score a repeat of victory in the 2005 Manila SEA Games.

Still, Camacho insisted that it remains their goal.

 “The mission is to be the overall champion,” said the former chief of Phl wushu, who graced the forum with co-deputy chef-de-mission Romeo Magat.

 “The main concern now is the size of the delegation and how many medals we ca win,” said Camacho.

After winning the overall crown in 2005, the Philippines slipped to sixth in 2007 in Thailand, and went a notch higher in 2009 in Laos.

Camacho said it’s just a matter of each NSA delivering the goods.

 “Everybody has to do their homework. If all NSAs contribute at least two golds, then we have 80-plus. It’s that simple,” he said.

Camacho said the Philippine Olympic Committee has given all NSAs until today to submit the final list of athletes they are sending to Indonesia.

Then by the end of the week, the POC can make the final approval, and sit down with each of the NSAs.

Regarding the dragon boat team, Camacho said it’s up to the members of the victorious Philippine Dragon Boat Federation if they want to compete in the SEA Games.

 “It’s up to them. They’re all welcome to join the Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation team. But I heard they are not considering it. Right from the start, they were welcome to join the PCKF,” he said.