THE 2023 Philippine Athletics Championships, also known as National Open, will kick off on March 21-26 at the Ilagan Sports Complex in Isabela.

More than 1,000 athletes, led by Eric Cray, William Morrison III, Kristina Knott and Natalie Uy and several Fil-foreigners, like Umajesty Williams. are expected to participate in the week-long competition.

Philippine Athletics Track And Field Association (PATAFA) secretary-general Edward Kho said several foreign bets are also joining the event, along with select athletes from Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy.

Among those who have already confirmed their paeticipation are athletes from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka and Iraq .

“The top winners in each event of the National Open will get 100 ranking points in their quest to qualify for the world championships in Budapest, Hungary in August,” said Kho during the media launch at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

“The National Open is highly anticipated because the current members of the national team will be up against foreign talents as well as standouts from the Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy,” said Kho.

Also in the list are Kyla Richardson, Robyn Brown, Janry Ubas, Alyana Nicolas, and other 2022 SEA Games medalists

Kho, however, said EJ Obiena, will not be able to join the event.

“EJ isn’t joining because he has his own schedule to follow and we wouldn’t want to disrupt his rhythm.” Kho said

This is the fourth time that Ilagan City hosting the event since 2017.

Also present during the media launch were Cel Logistics Inc. assistant vice president Anton Capistrano and executive vice president Fernando Juan Perez, Philippine Racing Commission and PATAFA consultant Reli de Leon, vice -president for Milo Sports Carlo Sampan, PATAFA national training director Renato Unso and national head coach Jojo Posadas.

Posadas also said PATAFA will hold an initial performance trial from Feb. 28 to March 2 at the PhilSports Stadium in Pasig City.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya