The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is renewing its ties with China as chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez plans to send national athletes there in preparation for the 29th Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.
Ramirez will be joined in the trip to Beijing and Shanghai by national training director Marc Velasco.
“The Philippines and China have long agreed to partner and we are just going to rekindle our ties,” said Ramirez, referring to numerous agreements forged by the two countries the past few years.
The country looks to China as a place where national athletes can improve their craft.
In fact, lifter Hidilyn Diaz credits her stint in one of China’s training centers as one reason for her silver medal finish in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The PSC is hoping that the Philippines improves on its sixth-place finish in the Aug. 19-31 SEAG in Kuala Lumpur.
And what better way to do that by going to China for training and exposure.
Still, the odds are stacked heavily against the Philippines in climbing to fifth place as traditional powerhouse Thailand looms as the team to beat.
Host Malaysia is likewise eager to take the overall crown as this year’s staging of the biennial sportsfest coincides with its 60th year of independence.
Also in hot pursuit of the championship is Vietnam, which has never dropped from third place since 2003.
