The 5th Asian Para Games will offer Filipino para athletes the chance to earn valuable qualification points for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympic Games.
During an interview on Game On, Philippine delegation chef de mission Francis Diaz said that para athletics and para swimming are key sports in the country’s campaign, noting their potential to contribute points towards Paralympics qualification.
Aside from para athletics and para swimming, this Asian Para Games also offers Paralympic points for para cycling track, para powerlifting and para taekwondo, among others.
“Both para athletics and para swimming will have a significant points contribution as a pathway to the Paralympic Games. So, at least doon sa dalawang ’yun, because it will be run by the IPC in terms of the management of the Games. Bukod sa dalawang ’yun, meron pang baka mangilan-ngilang event na may contributory points,” Diaz explained.
A total of 69 Filipino para athletes, led by four-time APG swimming champion Ernie Gawilan, will compete in 11 sports.
While acknowledging the challenge posed by the absence of para chess, Diaz said the team would work hard to secure four to five gold medals.
Para chess accounted for eight of the Philippines’ 10 golds in 2023 in Hangzhou, China, making its absence a significant factor in the country’s medal outlook for the Aichi-Nagoya edition.
“If we ask about the medal output and some probabilities, we’re going to work very hard to earn probably four to five gold medals,” Diaz said.
Diaz, who also serves as executive director of the National Academy of Sports, likewise underscored the support extended by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to prepare the national delegation for the competition.
“I have to reiterate the support that was given by the Philippine Sports Commission, led by chairman John Patrick ‘Pato’ Gregorio and all the four board of commissioners. Grabe ho ’yung suportang tinatamasa ng ating para athletes patungo sa Asian Para Games — simula po doon sa training nila na ginawa sa Pilipinas, lahat ho ng concerns natin ay in-addressed ng PSC para ma-prepare ng maayos yung ating delegasyon going to the Aichi-Nagoya Games,” CDM Diaz said.
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