ILAGAN, Isabela – The Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) is using the 2017 Ayala Philippine National Open Invitational Championships as a starting point in its evaluation for the small contingent that will train in Australia for three months.
PATAFA Chief Philip Ella Juico said they had already pointed out notable names for the said high performance training program, which include long jumper Marestella Torres and pole vaulter EJ Obiena, along with PH Open standouts Mervin Guarte, Michael Unso, Ryan Bigyan, Edgardo Alejan Jr., and Immuel Camino, among others.
“We are getting in touch with Australia this week to iron things out on our training plans for our athletes,” said Juico.
The original plan was to send at least 12 athletes to Queensland, the hub of local athletics competitions, but with the coast being ravaged with floods at the moment, Juico said they might consider moving the training to Perth. (Kristel Satumbaga)