Carrion: A battle-ready SEAG contingent can do better in KL

MANILA, Philippines - Cynthia Carrion, newly appointed chef-de-mission of the Philippine contingent to the 29th Southeast Asian Games, said she would make sure all athletes are prepared for the biennial meet as she eyes a fourth or fifth place finish.

In the previous edition of the event, the country settled for sixth place with a 131-medal haul. The delegation pocketed 29 gold medals, 36 silvers and 66 bronzes.

“I’m very happy to do it because my goal is to make sure the athletes are ready to compete, all the training would be done,” said Carrion in a phone interview with The STAR.

“Last time, it was sixth place. Our aim or goal is a fifth or fourth. We hope we can achieve that.”

To gear up for their bid, Carrion targets international exposure for the country’s bets prior the 2017 SEA Games set Aug. 19-31 in Kuala Lumpur, to build their confidence and to assess needed improvements.

A deputy chef-de-mission in the previous edition of the SEAG, Carrion noted how the lack of exposure made the athletes feel intimidated, leading them to underperform.

Carrion said that she wants the athletes to be strong in “mind, body and soul,” adding that emotional strength will help them brush off nervousness and help them stay focused on what they need to do.

Carrion said that she expects medal-rich sports such as athletics, swimming, gymnastics and pencak silat to produce the needed haul, while aiming for all the other sports to do their share. Kristine Noelle Villanueva