It’s going to be a show of force for host Philippines if it ends up parading a powerhouse cast of flag-bearers during the opening of the 30th Southeast Asian Games on Nov. 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
No less than five of the country’s top athletes who have genuine medal chances in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics might end up carrying the flag if a decision is reached that boxer Eumir Marcial, lifter Hidilyn Diaz, gymnast Carlos Yulo, pole vaulter EJ Obiena and skater Marge Didal would all take the lead during the parade.
SEAG chief of mission William ‘Butch’ Ramirez, also the chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, will have that say after conferring with a select group that includes officials from the Philippine Olympic Committee and Phisgoc.
The five have been making waves lately with Diaz, 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist, coming off a bronze medal performance in the IWF world championships in Pattaya, Thailand, and Marcial, a runnerup finish in the AIBA world championships in Ekatenrinburg, Russia.
Obiena topped a tournament in Italy last month while Yulo is all set to compete in world gymnastics championships beginning this weekend in Stuttgart, Germany.
Didal, 2018 Jakarta Asian Games gold medalist, is also in the thick of the Olympic qualifying process.
National training director Marc Velasco said there’s no stopping the Philippines from fielding its top five athletes during the opening rites.
“They are the country’s finest and lately Filipino athletes have been performing very well,” said Velasco, pointing to Marcial, Diaz and Obiena’s recent exploits and the sudden surge in victories.
The 2019 SEAG will take place from Nov. 30 until Dec. 11 in Metro Manila, New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, and key cities in Central and Southern Tagalog. (Nick Giongco)
