The Philippine team representatives with Chef de Mission Ramon “Tats” Suzara during the AYP opening rites at the Exhibition World Bahrain. POC POOL
The Chef De Mission of the Philippine delegation to the 3rd Asian Youth Games is optimistic of the country’s chances of winning more medals as action in the multi-sports event goes full blast on Thursday.
Ramon “Tats” Suzara sees combat sports delivering several more on the Filipinos’ medal coffers in the wake of the gold haul provided by pencak silat through Kram Airam Carpio in the girls’ 51-55 kg weight.
“I think golf. Taekwondo. A lot of martial arts, I think we have a lot of chances,” he said shortly after parading with members of the Philippine contingent during the glitzy opening ceremony Wednesday night at the Exhibition World Bahrain here.
“May muay pa tayo,” Suzara noted. “We’ll do our best in individual sports. Let’s hope for the best in the next few days.”
Golf and taekwondo delivered golds for the country during the last edition of the meet in Nanjing, China twelve years ago courtesy of Mia Legaspi and Pauline Lopez.
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Suzara is keeping his fingers crossed the Filipinos will be able to improve on the Philippines’ two-gold and three-silver effort in 2013. The three silvers were provided by Princess Superal (golf), Francis Aaron Agojo (taekwondo), and Jurence Mendoza (tennis).
“I hope we can surpass the target because we have 200 athletes here. The Asian Youth Games has the same level of playing field because they're (athletes) young. Siguro yung iba may experience na like the Thais, meron na silang experience sa age group,” he said.
The CDM noted Alas Pilipinas’ U-18 team’s five-set win over South Korea in girls’ volleyball in stressing his point about the level playing field in the tournament.
At the same time, Suzara added the country’s campaign should augur well to the plans of the Philippine Sports Commission to start taking under its wings promising members of the youth teams.
READ: Pencak Silat athlete delivers PH's first gold in Asian Youth Games
“I think it's an eye opener on the part of the Philippine Olympic Committee and the PSC now that chairman (Pato) Gregorio would like the junior teams become part of the national pool under the PSC. I think it's a good start,” he said.
“This is good because it’s a realignment from the PSC about the Batang Pinoy hand in hand with the Youth Olympic Games and the Asian Youth Games.”
The Youth Olympic Games will be held next year in Dakar, Senegal.