PSC eyes Boracay as venue for 2013 Asiad
BY PETER ATENCIO

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia said that the island of Boracay may be tapped to host some of the events of the 2013 Asian Centennial Games.

Garcia made a short visit to the resort island located some two kilometers off the northwest tip of Panay Island in Western Visayas, a day after the Philippine Olympic Committee formed a study group which is tasked to identify the venues which will be used when the country plays host to the 100th year celebration of the Asian Games.

“I’m checking the facilities which they have. If beach competitions are held here, we will know where it can be held, and where participants and delegates can go,” Garcia said.

Included in the calendar of events for the Asian Centennial Games Games include water-based sports, events which are played in the Asian Winter Games, and regular events of the Asian Games.

But the final roster of sports is yet to be finalized and will be discussed by the study group in future meetings.

Around 45 countries are expected to see action in the centennial event, led by sports superpowers China, India, Japan, Korea and countries from the Middle East.

Two weeks ago, POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco received confirmation of the country’s hosting from Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah of Kuwait.

The POC pegged the date for holding the Asiad Centennial Games on the last two weeks of November and the first week of December.

Manila last hosted the Asian Games in 1951.