Gomez returns as PH’s chef de mission in Asiad

By Peter Atencio

ORMOC City Rep. and fencing chief Richard Gomez is returning as the chef de mission of Team Philippines in the Asian Games, to be held in Hangzhou, China in September.

Asian Games, on Thursday swapped positions with sports medicine specialist, Dr. Raul Canlas, who heads the national body for surfing. Canlas will now take care of the national delegation being formed for the ANOC World Beach Games in Bali, Indonesia.

“Nagpalit kasi kami ni Dr. Canlas. More athletes have qualified for surf ing in the World Beach Games,” said Gomez during Thursday’s General Assembly of the Philippine Olympic Committee at the East Ocean Palace Restaurant in Parañaque.

From 410 athletes, Gomez will now screen a total of 426 names of entries for the quadrennial meet, slated from September 23 to October 8 later this year.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham Tolentino said Canlas was concerned over the numbers athletes who could possibly qualify in surfing in the World Beach Games.