Paratriathlon has been confirmed as an event included in the ASEAN Para Games set January 2020 after its inclusion in the 2019 SEA Games.
This was bared by Triathlon Association of the Philippines and South East Asian Triathlon Association President Tom Carrasco Jr., who lobbied actively for the sport’s inclusion.
The Para Games will even be preceded by another major international event, the Asian Paratriathlon Championship set this August in Legaspi, Albay, organized by the Philippine Paratriathlon Committee, headed by its chairman Lito Cinco.
“The Asian Paratriathlon Championship is a good prelude to the ASEAN Para Games as it gives our local paratriathletes a chance to compete at an even higher level of competition. We will be fielding at least three paratriathletes, the Nelmida blind twins, Joshua and Jerome, both veterans of previous paratriathlon and triathlon races here, and Cebuano Alex Silverio, who lost his left arm in a motorbike accident when he was younger,” said Cinco.
Twenty-five entries from five countries are joining, namely Japan, which has the biggest delegation, Korea, China, Kyrgyzstan, and host Philippines.
The event is set on Aug. 10 prior to the Mt. Mayon ASTC Triathlon Asian Cup, hosted by Legaspi City Mayor Noel Rosal.
But a bigger challenge for PPTC was raising the necessary funds for the training and the participation of its paratriathletes in the Asian Championship.
“We have requested already through TRAP a supplemental budget for paratriathlon development here but since the Asian Championship was fast approaching, we were hard-pressed for cash to ensure the participation of our national paratriathletes and enable them to realize their dreams. Thanks to many kind-hearted people, we were able to raise the needed funds,” added Cinco.
Among those who answered PPTC’s appeal for help were football event organizer Albert Almendralejo, Fil-Indian Basketball league Commissioner Dilip Budhrani, Shan Bommiah, businessman-sportsman Alex Wang, former PBA player Mike Advani, Wiliam Tan, Jose Mari Cinco, Bernard Maglaque, Boy Samsin, Glenn Argate, Mark Que, Nida Sembrano, Vito Orcullo, F2 Logistics president Efren Uy, Nino Sinco, Michael Yulo, Ning Asuncion, Sari Razon, Silvina Cinco, Ricky Halasan, Rod Sollesta and other anonymous donors.
Vermosa Sports Hub, through the effort of rockstar triathlete Reujen Lista, has also granted free usage of its facilities to the Nelmida twins and their guides. VSH, a project of Ayala Land, offers special facilities for the training of triathletes.
Carrasco was also able to get the Philippine Sports Commission to provide the plane tickets for the national team members.