MANILA (PNA)- The Philippine?s organizational skills and world-famous hospitality will be put to test once again when the country hosts anew the Asian Triathlon Championships at the Subic Bay complex in what is fast becoming an international sports hub, Olongapo City and Zambales Province.
Scheduled April 27-29, the three day conclave will see some 1,000 swimmers, runners and bikers representing 17 countries, the biggest field in the ATC, from all over the region, according to Triathlon Association of the Philippines vice president Red Dumuk during last Friday?s SCOOP session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.
?The April 27-29 event will actually be a three-and-one affair because the country will play host, not only to the actual competitions, but also, to the Asian Triathlon Confederation Congress and the technical course that will precede two or three days prior to the championships,? Dumuk said during the sports forum, sponsored by AKTV and FILA.
Dumuk disclosed that it will be the first time that the Congress and the technical course will be held simultaneously with the actual competitions in ?what could be a chance, once more, for us to showcase our organizational knowhow and our people?s hospitality.?
The finest Filipino sharks, road runners and bikers will carry the country?s colors in the Elite level competitions for men and women 23-under campaigners, age group for kids and physically-impaired events.
One of the most significant highlights of the conclave is the participation of the physically-handicapped athletes in the Para-Triathlon event where double blade athlete Scott Bigsky is expected to see action,? according to Dumuk.
?If in 1997 we saw the sensational Rudy Fernandez, now the Filipino sports enthusiasts will be eyewitness to Scott?s equally amazing feats in open swimming, running and biking,? Dumuk said.
The TRAP second most powerful man revealed that the country was given the chance anew to stage the prestigious championships after Iran, the original choice, begged off.
?This, actually is our third time to hold the Asian level competitions after 1997, which proved to be the most successful ever, and 2003, which is also similarly successful as far as the ATC delegates who attended were concerned,? Dumuk said. ?The hosting was offered to our president (Tom Carrasco) during the last championships and the TRAP board readily approved of the idea.
?Reason, according to top ATC officials, for the country to be the venue again is because Subic has proved to be the most convenient and appropriate site of competitions like this,? Dumuk said.
Still active past champions in the immediately preceding editions have also been invited to compete,? Dumuk assured.
The Asian Triathlon championships, Dumuk said could very well be part of the Asian Games Centennial Celebration the Philippines will also be hosting November this year.
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