22 Puerto Princesa athletes join BIMP-EAGA friendship games on Nov. 28-30

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Nov. 21 (PNA) -- Some 22 selected athletes and sports officials in this city are now ready for the 6th edition of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Areas (BIMP-EAGA) on Nov. 28-30, 2008 in Brunei Darussalam.

City Information Officer Alroben Goh said 22 athletes have trained hard prior to the competition.

Goh said the city government has allocated P600,000 for the transportation expenses of the 22 athletes and officials which are part of the 96-man Mindanao-Palawan banner Team Philippines.

The organizers tapped only six sports to be played in the three days meet which include athletics, badminton, futsal, lawn tennis, sepak takraw and swimming.

He said the Puerto Princesa athletes will only participate in athletics (men and women), swimming (men), sepak takraw, futsal and lawn tennis.

He said that it is an opportunity of the city’s athletes to participate in the friendship games considered vital in the Philippines government's effort to strengthen its relationship with member countries, aside from providing an avenue for athletes in the grassroots level.

Aside from Puerto Princesa, selected athletes in focus areas of Davao, Panabo, Davao del Sur, Tagum, Marawi, Iligan, Lanao del Sur, Koronadal, Pagadian and General Santos will join the Team Philippines.