Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino (seated, center) with other members of the Executive Board after a meeting in Makati City on Tuesday (Jan. 7, 2025). They discussed Filipino athletes’ international calendar this year. (Contributed photo)
Filipino athletes will be busy this year, starting with the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, from Feb. 7 to 14.
Other major tournaments lined up for Team Philippines are the 12th World Games in Chengdu, China (Aug. 7-17), the 3rd Asian Youth Olympics Games in Bahrain (Oct. 22-31), and the 33rd Thailand Southeast Asian Games in the cities of Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla (Dec. 9-20).
“It’s a busy year marked with major international competitions,” Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president and PhilCycling chief Abraham Tolentino said after meeting his new executive board in Makati City on Tuesday.
“We aim to send as many capable and qualified athletes as possible to these games and target the best possible results.”
Earlier, Tolentino said the Harbin Games would be the springboard for the country’s quest for its first Winter Olympics medal.
The Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games will be held in early 2026 in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh.
First vice president Al Panlilio (basketball), treasurer Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (surfing), auditor Donaldo Caringal (volleyball), and board members Leonora Escollante (canoe-kayak), Alvin Aguilar (wrestling), Ferdinand Agustin (jiu-jitsu,), Alexander Sulit (judo), Leah Gonzales (fencing) and Jessie Lacuna (Athletes Commission) met with Tolentino.
Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines, also attended the meeting, while second vice president Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez of modern pentathlon couldn’t make it.
The POC will hold its first General Assembly next week.
The Executive Board reorganized key posts, including Wharton Chan who remained as secretary-general, Marcus Andaya (legal), Billie Sumagui (membership), Alberto Agra (arbitration), Michael Vargas (international affairs), Escollante (gender equality), Canlas (medical and anti-doping), Sulit (safe sports), and Marcus Jarwin Manalo (technical).
Before the meeting, the board offered prayers for former secretary-general Edwin Gastanes, who passed away in December 2024. (PNA)