AS MEMBERS of the national team prepare for competitions here and abroad, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association on Monday welcomed a much-needed support from the private sector.
Officials of the athletics’ body, led by president Dr. Philip Ella Juico, received a 16-seater Foton Traveller from Foton president and Chief Operating Officer Rommel Sytin during simple turnover ceremonies yesterday morning at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Foton Traveller, which has a 2.8L, 4-cylinder turbo-charged diesel engine, will help bring national athletes to their destinations, including Ayala Land’s Vermosa Estate in Imus, Cavite, where some of the nationals are training for the Asian Games.
“We are very grateful, we are very happy with this kind gesture. This will help transport the athletes to their training, which is just 10 minutes away, every day,” said Juico.
The Foton van comes at a perfect time as national athletes need a vehicle that will take them to their training centers in preparation for the Thailand Open this week and coming events like the Malaysian Open, Taiwan Open and the Philippine National Open in Isabela later this month.
The series of events will help get the national team ready for the 2018 Asian Games.
“The hectic schedule is enough to keep everyone busy between now and the Asian Games,” said Juico.
So far, the national contingent to the Asiad will be composed of Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Eric Shawn Cray (hurdles), Trenten Beram (sprint), Ernest John Obiena (pole vault), Mary Joy Tabal (marathon), Aries Toledo (decathlon), Marco Vilog (sprint), Marestella Torres-Sunang (long jump) and Mark Harry Diones (triple jump).