PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann said the Southeast Asian Games should eventually evolve into a platform that will give up-and-coming Filipino athletes exposure and experience.
Bachmann on Monday said he believes Team Philippines in the future should strike a balance between sending its top-class athletes and showcasing new talents in the biennial meet to give them exposure.
“It’s becoming, you are after the medals or you are after improving the grassroots and finding the next athletes. I feel na we are putting athletes that are supposed to focus on the Asian Games already and in the Olympics, pinapababa pa natin for medals’ sake,” said Bachmann on Monday.
READ: Top PH performers in 32nd SEA Games
“We actually have to find a balance,” said the PSC chairman after he witnessed Team Philippines compete in the SEA Games.
Bachmann said Olympic-bound athletes such as Hidilyn Diaz, EJ Obiena, and Carlos Yulo should no longer be required to compete in the SEA Games. Instead their slots should be given to emerging athletes.
“Just like some athletes like athletics, like [Eric] Cray, how many times he has been in the Southeast Asian Games? Taekwondo also. Sino ‘yung sunod? Does the NSAs know? We have to have a plan for that. Sino ang next in line?”
“The Southeast Asian Games is really for upcoming athletes that can perform. We just have to find a balance. We can’t keep Yulo coming back and win a gold, [EJ] Obiena to come back and win a gold. Balance lang,” said Bachmann.
Bachmann cited gymnastics as a perfect example of striking the right balance after Yulo won two gold medals while teammates Juancho Miguel Besana and John Ivan Cruz also added to the Philippines’ 58-gold haul in the SEA Games.
“What was nice with Caloy is they limited him to two apparatus only. The other two performed. It was a blessing in disguise that can happen to the NSAs also,” said Bachmann.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes has already suggested that a developmental men’s basketball team should be sent to future SEA Games competitions.
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