Phl aims for 50 gold medals in 2015 SEAG

MANILA, Philippines - Regardless of where it ranks in the end, the Philippines is eyeing as many as 50 gold medals in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

Julian Camacho, the chef-de-mission of the Philippine team, has spoken to representatives of the different national sports associations (NSAs) regarding their expectations.

And based on their discussions, the Philippines can look forward to winning 45 to 50 gold medals in the next SEA Games scheduled June 5-16.

A total of 402 gold medals in 36 sports will be disputed in Singapore, which last hosted the biennial event in 1993.

“That’s already final – 402 golds in 36 sports,” said Camacho, adding that the Philippines will compete in all events except hockey and netball.

“We are looking at 45 to 50 gold medals. We’re not talking about the final placing but number of gold medals we can win,” he added.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said the Philippines, which finished seventh in Myanmar in 2013, can aim for third or fourth place in Singapore.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco said it can even be higher.

The Philippines, according to Cojuangco, should send as many athletes to the next SEA Games as long as they are qualified to go, and the number could reach as high as 600.

With the latest projection, the Philippines is hoping to win at least 10 percent of the total number of gold medals to be disputed.

“We came up with the number based on our discussions with the NSAs. If they don’t deliver, maiwan na sila sa (they better stay behind in) Singapore,” Camacho said.

Helping him out in the SEA Games preparations are fellow management committee members Jose Romasanta, Moying Martelino, Chippy Espiritu and Jonne Go.

Camacho, the secretary-general of the Philippine Wushu Federation, was in Singapore recently, and said everything seems to be in place.

“They are well prepared. The stadium is very nice and it cost them 1.3 billion Singapore dollars. It can seat over 50,000 fans and it will host the opening and closing ceremonies, the athletics competition and the semis and finals of football,” he said.

Singapore did not put up an athletes village for the SEA Games. Instead, the close to 9,000 athletes will stay in 20 different hotels, depending on the location of their competition venues.