POC targets to send delegates to 'as many sports as possible' in Thailand SEA Games

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is eyeing to send athletes to as many sports events as possible in the next Southeast Asian (SEA) Games edition set to be hosted by Thailand late next year.

Thailand organizers will feature a total of 581 events as of now, which cover 50 sports and three demonstration sports that include tug of war and ultimate (frisbee).

POC is positive with the country's preparation for the biennial event, especially coming off another successful Paris Olympics campaign that saw the Philippines bag four medals highlighted by a pair of gold medals from Carlos Yulo.

“Coming off our Olympic success in Paris and with the growing enthusiasm of our national sports association to make their marks in the SEA Games, our national federations and athletes have enough time to prepare and contend in Thailand,” POC president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said.

With only a little over a year left before the SEA Games, Tolentino also beamed with optimism that the Filipino athletes will have enough time to gear up as the country looks to regain the overall championship. 

The Philippines last won the top medal count when it hosted the SEA Games in 2019, but wound up fourth and fifth during the last two editions in Vietnam in 2022 and Cambodia in 2023. 

“There’s enough time and there are more than enough opportunities,” said Tolentino.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News