CLARK FREEPORT— The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) have extended its congratulations to the Philippine Triathlete team who won gold and silver in the on-going 2017 South East Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
CDC President-CEO Noel F. Manankil also thanked the team for conducting their trainings inside this Freeport since November 2016.
Both Nikko Huelgas and John Chicano trained in Clark under the tutelage of their Kapampangan Coach Melvin Fausto.
Huelgas and Chicano, won the gold and silver, giving the Philippines a 1-2 finish in men’s triathlon held at the Water Sports Complex in Putrajaya. Fausto said the training was held in Clark because of the same terrain and weather condition of Kuala Lumpur and inside the Freeport.
Huelgas was able to defend his triathlon title with a time of 1:59.30. He won the same event in Singapore in 2015, Fausto said.
During the interview at the Clark in Action, a public affairs program of CDC, aired over UFM 105.5 and broadcast simultaneously at Ch. 6 of local cable network, the triathlete coach said that the terrain in Clark is conducive to training triathletes, especially to those who compete in international events, such as SEA Games.
He said the road networks here are very similar to the places where international triathlon gigs are being held.
Fausto also said that his team preparing for their next competition for the next international competition where they expect to compete to bigger and stronger triathletes. They will be training again here, he added.
He is hoping also that triathlon and duathlon events of the 2019 SEA Games (to be hosted by the Philippines) will be held in Clark because of the environment-friendly of the Freeport and its conduciveness in holding the multi-discipline sports.
Earlier, Clark Freeport has been adjudged as the 2016 Sports Tourism Destination of the Year given by the Philippine Sports Tourism Awards.