GUANGZHOU?The man behind the superb conditioning of world boxing champion Rep. Manny Pacquiao will be coming to the aid of Filipinos vying for slots in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Around February of 2011, Alex Ariza is expected in Manila to provide conditioning and nutrition approaches for an elite group of athletes who will train for the summer Olympics, announced Philippine Olympic Committee President Jose Cojuangco Jr.
?He has committed himself to us and we are confident that his contribution to our training regimen will be critical to our performance in the next Olympics,? Cojuangco told team managers of the Philippine delegation here attending the 16th Asian Games.
Cojuangco lauded Pacquiao?s concern for national athletes in persuading the Colombian sports conditioning guru to come to the Philippines and help its national athletes.
?We are very thankful to Rep. Pacquiao. He was largely instrumental in our efforts to convince Mr. Ariza to help us,? Cojuangco said.
By Cojuangco?s calculation, there would be around 50 elite athletes who can initially partake of Ariza?s expertise.
?We will then pass on the program to all national sports associations to ensure that all our athletes are trained well and eat the right food so they can perform to the fullest,? Cojuangco added.
