By MARK REY MONTEJO
THE country’s triathlon association will now be known as Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil).
Newly-elected triathlon president Ramon Marchan said this during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at the Rizal Memorial Complex in Manila on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
Formerly known as Triathlon Association of the Philippines, the new president – he replaced Tom Carrasco – stressed they will continue to enhance the projects and programs of the past administration.
Marchan said TriPhil will continue to serve as haven for all aspiring triathletes who dream to become bid stars of the flourishing sport someday.
“We just keeping doing it, tuloy lang natin, we have programs na nandyan na kailangan lang ng enhancement, saan tayo mag-e-enhance?”
“Athlete selection natin ay lalagyan natin ng scientific and methodical, may points, parang ranking,” said Marchan during the weekly forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO Philippines, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
He was accompanied secretary general Sarita Zafra and triathlete star Erika Burgos.
“Kasi posible natin makaligtaan natin yung mga magagaling na atleta dahil wala tayong methodical way of selection,” he added.
“From there we’ll be able to widen the range of selection, maraming karera, maraming lugar and then para maging maayos ang ating selection, we will have to assign ranking or points,”
The 63-year-old president also expressed their plans to hold the events in their respective provinces so they don’t need to spend going to Manila.
“Magkakaroon ng opportunity din yung mga malalayo [na nasa province] na can’t afford to go from Subic to Manila, do’n na sa lugar nila gagawin, para along the way makanap tayo ng mga atleta,”
Aside from the nationwide plan of TriPhil, Zafra mentioned that she had a discussion with PSC chairman Richard Bachmann, regarding the addition of triathlon events in PNG and Batang Pinoy.
“Diniscuss po namin yan with chairman Bachmann, sabi nya po, next year daw po kasama ang triathlon,” Zafra shared.
Burgos, who recently reigned supreme in the distaff side of the Sun Life 5150 triathlon and pocketed gold medal in aquathlon in 2023 SEAG, said that they will aim to bolster and set high standard for the national team in future triathlon events.
“We promise we’ll continue to train harder, healthy competition between each other para we can set better standard for the Philippines,” the 20-year-old athlete said.
“We’re going to aim for more medals in the upcoming SEA Games,” he added.
Marchan added the federation is also planning to name Carrasco as chairman emeritus for serving as the guiding light of Philippine triathlon for a long time.
