PARAATHLETE Josephine Medina rued the lack of support and preparation for the 3rd Asian ParaGames but vowed to give her best for the nation in her table tennis campaign on October 6 to 13 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Medina admitted the lack of training time, delay in the arrival of equipment and problems with her documents slowed down her buildup for the Asian Para Games.
The 48-year-old national team campaigner will also join the World Singles Table Tennis championship, which will be held just days after the Asian Games from October 14-21 in Slovenia.
“Okay naman lagi naman po tayong nagpe-prepare for training, kaya lang, nakakapanghinayang kasi nakapag-actual training kami ng coach ko na ibigay yung hinihingi kong request for a coach around two-and-a-half months na lang,” Medina said.
“But still positive pa rin tayo alam mo naman ang pusong Pinoy laging palaban po tayo."
The bronze medalist in Singles Class 8 in the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro said problems with the processing of their travel documents also caused added stress.
“Hindi lang pressure even stressful kasi aside from preparing sana for this competition, I’m still doing the processing of the documents for the visa and everything. Nauubos yung time namin doon. After training I have to go there to process the documents to ask if we already have the budget and everything.”
But despite all the adversity she has faced before the Asiad, Medina promised to give her all for the pride of country and Paraathletes.
“I cannot promise any medal, (but) one thing na maipa-promise ko in every game that I play, I will do my hundred and one percent para po sa bayan,” Medina said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph