DECADE-OLD EQUIPMENT will be the only ones left for the national gymnastics team should the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Philsoc) pursue its plan of selling new equipment to pay off debts from hosting the Southeast Asian Games.
This was disclosed by RP team coach Butch Ty upon learning the Philsoc’s plan.
"That’s the only sports equipment that we have. Kung matutuloy ‘yung plano na ibenta ‘yung mga bagong equipment, wala nang matinong magagamit ang mga atleta sa training," Ty said.
The national team has been training with worn-out equipment used during the country’s previous hosting of the SEA Games in 1991 until the high-class equipment were brought in for last year’s meet.
Ty said the old equipment were already not recommended for use because it would lead to accidents and injuries to her athletes.
Philsoc Secretary-General Steve Hontiveros recently broached the idea of selling sports equipment to settle the Philsoc arrears amounting to around R60 million in Metro Manila, Cebu and Bacolod.
Sports Commissioner Richie Garcia, however, suggested to donate those equipment to the PSC for the use of the athletes’ training.
Ty added that the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) must authorize first the selling of the equipment to ensure the safety of the athletes.
"Hindi naman ganoong kadaling magbenta ng sports equipment sa gymnastics, di tulad sa basketball or volleyball. Sa pagkakaalam ko, kailangang dumaan muna sila sa FIG bago nila maibenta iyon," said Ty.
The RP gymnasts recently resumed their training for upcoming international tournaments to bolster their bid in the Asian Games this December.
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