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| photo (c) stokedinc.com.ph |
What was considered before as a simple of fun and games in some of the most pristine beaches in the continent has transformed into a competitive worldwide meet.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. said the inaugural World Beach Games in 2017 would be held in San Diego, California where top Filipino athletes would seriously aim for medals.
Cojuangco said the POC would immediately form a committee to address the concerns of the WBG, including the sports to be played and the athletes who should carry the national colors.
“Before, the beach games are just fun and games. Now, it has become really competitive,’’ said Cojuangco. “We’ll prepare for this as early as we can.”
The Philippines won three gold medals in the 2014 Asian Beach Games held in Phuket, Thailand courtesy of ju-jitsu fighters Maybelline Masuda and Annie Ramirez and wind surfer Geylord Coveta.
“I’m confident that we can contend for medals on a global level,” said Cojuangco.
San Diego was awarded the hosting rights to the Olympic-style, multi-sport event over the weekend by the Association of National Olympic Committees (Anoc).
The event features more than 20 sports, beach tennis, football, volleyball, surfing, jet skiing, track and field, basketball and triathlon, among them.
Anoc has earmarked US$150 million for the Games scheduled to be held in September next year at San Diego’s Mission Beach.
Other cities that expressed interest in hosting the 10-day Games were Sochi, Russia, Barcelona, Dubai, Istanbul and United Arab Emirates.
Source: June Navarro of Inquirer.net
