A MATTER OF PRIDE

MANILA (July 19, 2007) – Although the Philippines have never won the SEA Games medal before in their history, the certainty is that their national Under-23 side will never stop coming to the biennial games.

With the next edition of the SEA Games in Korat, Thailand just a few months away in December (from 6-16), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) have given their belief and the assurance that the Pinoy side will be part of the sporting extravaganza.

“Fielding the national football team at the SEA Games – despite its unsatisfactory record – is a matter of pride,” said POC secretary general Mark Joseph.

“It is the world’s most popular sport,” said Joseph. “So, why can’t we send our team if countries like Laos and Cambodia have never failed to send theirs to the Games?”

POC chairman Robert Aventajado added that the resurgent in interest in football is being felt in the Philippines especially when there have been addition of players from abroad with Filipino origin.

“In the last two years, Philippines teams have been quite an attraction because of foreign players with Filipino roots,” added Aventajado.