TRIUMPHANT Filipino athletes who competed in the recently concluded 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China will be honored in an upcoming grand heroes’ welcome at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila.

The announcement was formally communicated by the Office of the President last Sunday to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann, with the ceremony highlighted by the presence of the President and graced by Asiad gold medalists EJ Obiena of Athletics, Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez of Jiu-jitsu, and the Gilas Pilipinas Men’s Basketball Team.

“We, at the PSC, express our sincerest gratitude to the President for recognizing the victorious stint of our athletes in this year’s Asian Games. His Excellency’s gesture, together with the proactive support of the national government, will go a long way in the continued success of Team Philippines in international competitions to come,” said Bachmann, who received the news, while supporting the last Filipino athlete competing in Hangzhou.

Also invited to the celebration are silver medalists Eumir Marcial of Boxing and Arnel Mandal of Wushu, together with bronze medalists Patrick King Perez of Taekwondo, Jones Inso, Gideon Padua and Clemente Tabugara Jr. of Wushu, Alex Eala and Francis Alcantara of Tennis, Patrick Coo of Cycling, Elreen Ando of Weightlifting, Kaila Napolis of Jiu-jitsu, Sakura Alforte of Karate, and the Men’s Sepak Takraw Team.

“Our four golds, two silvers, and 12 bronzes were enough for us to be on the 17th rank among 45 competing nations. We also overcame the 19th overall finish on the last edition of the quadrennial meet held in Indonesia in 2018,” added Bachmann.

Other government agencies like the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepED), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are also being tapped to be part of the celebration.

Filipino athletes who captured medals in the Asian Games are entitled to receive cash incentives from the government under Republic Act No. 10699, also known as the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.’’

Meanwhile, Bachmann is scheduled to meet the media today at the RMSC at 10AM, to deliver a post-Asian Games report and to address matters that are of consequence to the national sports agency’s mandate and commitment to serve the country’s national athletes and ensure their well-being.

(ai/mnm)

HANGZHOU, China — Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann is not yet losing hope, saying that Filipino athletes can still deliver despite their slow start in the 19th Asian Games here.

In a conversation with Filipino sportswriters, Bachmann said he is counting on athletes like EJ Obiena, Alex Eala, Hidilyn Diaz, and the national boxers to come up with a strong performance and jack up the medal tally of Team Philippines.

So far, the Philippines’ official medal count includes four bronze medals courtesy of Patrick King Perez of taekwondo, and wushu bets Jones Inso, Gideon Fred Padua, and Clemente Tabugara Jr.

They, however, suffered disappointment after prized athletes Kayla Sanchez, Margielyn Didal, and Irish Magno failed to deliver.

Sanchez, a two-time Olympic medalist for Canada, has yet to win a single medal entering the last two days of the swimming competition while Didal was dethroned in the women’s street event of the skateboarding competition after suffering a nagging ankle injury.

Magno, a Tokyo Olympian, also fell by the wayside as she bowed to Nigina Ukmatova of Uzbekistan in the Round of 16 of the women’s 54-kilogram event.

Still, Bachmann remains hopeful.

“I’m still hoping,” Bachmann said, adding that they can still surpass their previous achievement of four gold medals in the previous Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018.

“I’m still confident that we will beat last year’s medal of four golds. I was with (boxing chairman) Ricky Vargas last night and he told me that they can get at least two (gold) medals. I’m looking at EJ Obiena, I’m looking at Alex Eala and other athletes who can pull off a surprise.”

Obiena, the second-best pole vaulter in the world, is the country’s brightest hope as he is holding the Asian record of 6.0 meters.

Eala is also expected to deliver after breezing through the semifinals of the women’s singles event after posting stunning victories over Sarah Ibrahim Khan of Pakistan and Rutuja Bonsale in the preliminaries and Kyoka Okamura of Japan in the quarterfinals to be assured of a podium finish.

Wushu fighter Arnel Mandal also pulled off a surprise after he clinched the silver medal in the men’s 56-kilogram sanda event on Thursday.

Bachmann, however, made special mention of Diaz and the vaunted weightlifting team featuring rising stars Vanessa Sarno, Rosegie Ramos, and Elreen Ando.

“You still have your weightlifting. Hopefully, they can add,” said Bachmann, who has been busy visiting the athletes and watching their games together with PSC executive director Paulo Tatad.

“What we’re doing now is going around, watching a full game, be it no medal or medal chances. We’re here to show support.” (ai/mnm)