DepEd to send 115 entries to Asean Schools Games
August 18, 2013THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday announced it will send 115 Filipino athletes that won gold, silver, and bronze medals in the 2013 Palarong Pambansa to the 5th Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) Schools Games in Hanoi, Vietnam slated on June 22 to 30.
“We wish our athletes good luck and remind them that they are not only competitors but our ambassadors of goodwill,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said in a statement, adding that the event is an incentive for young Filipino athletes and a chance for international exposure as well.
Luistro also expressed his appreciation to the Philippine Sports Commission for actively supporting student athletes.
Over 1,500 athletes and coaches from the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam will participate in the meet.
The featured events are track and field, sepaktakraw, swimming, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, table tennis, volleyball and the martial sport of pencak silat.
Besides promoting friendship among students within the region, the Asean Schools Games also aims to promote Asean solidarity among the youth through sports and provide opportunities for school athletes to engage in cultural exchange.
The Philippines will host the 6th Asean Schools Games next year.
Neil A. Alcober