A TOTAL of 483 athletes have been included in the national delegation to the 27th Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.
Tom Carrasco, head of the SEA Games Task Force on the Philippine Olympic Committee side, said this following a continuing assessment on the performance and qualification of athletes and coaches.
Carrasco said he has informed Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. that they are 85 percent done with their assessment.
Among their latest inclusions are athletes from petanque and bowling.
He said they are assessing 73 developmental athletes that some national sports associations are planning to send.
They are waiting for the final submissions in athletics, swimming, indoor hockey and volleyball.
“The POC executive board will have to make a final decision on this,” said Carrasco.
He added that they are working on the June 30 deadline that Malaysian organizers gave for the submission of entries by name.
Organizers from host Malaysia have promised athletes, officials and participating countries of a smooth and competitive Games.
The Games will open on Aug. 19 and the Malaysian Organizing Committee Kuala Lumpur 2017 told them that preparations for the Games are on track.
The Games will see the participation of more than 7,000 athletes from the SEA region.