Capas: Paris Olympians Jan Tolentino Cabang and Lauren Hoffman are set to spearhead the country's efforts in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships, which will take place at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, from May 1 to 4. The event is poised to attract approximately 800 athletes, including 60 participants from neighboring countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, and Papua New Guinea, all aiming to earn points in the World Athletics category B event.
According to Philippine News Agency, the championships will serve as a pivotal selection ground for the national team that will represent the Philippines at the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December. Reli De Leon, special assistant to the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Terry Capistrano, announced these details during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex. De Leon emphasized the significance of hosting the PH Open in New Clark City for the first time, highlighting the venue's facilities, including a dedicated warm-up track that supports high-level competition.
National coaches Dario De Rosas and Jeoffrey Chua, who were also present at the forum, noted the anticipation among athletes from various leagues, such as NCAA, UAAP, and PRISAA. These athletes are eager to perform at the PH Open, aiming for opportunities to join the national training pool. The championships will also feature the country's top under-18 athletes competing for slots in the Asian Youth Games in Bahrain this October.
The NCC track and field stadium, previously used for the 2019 SEA Games, offers an Olympic-like atmosphere, complete with a warm-up area for athletes. To ensure participant safety amid the intense summer heat, events are scheduled from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., with morning sessions reserved for the walkathon. Chua expressed excitement about the participation of Olympians and Fil-foreign athletes, expecting impressive performances and the potential setting of new records. Participation in the event is mandatory for all national team members.
