Ramon Marchan vowed to put premium on grassroots development as he leads the rebranded Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP) now known as the Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil).

Marchan, who succeeded longtime chief Tom Carrasco as triathlon's president last August, said the federation will focus on widening its talent pool to give aspiring athletes the chance to hone their skills and land a possible spot in the national team.

“Athlete selection natin ay lalagyan natin ng scientific and methodical, may points, parang ranking,” Marchan said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum last Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

“Kasi posible natin makaligtaan natin yung mga magagaling na atleta dahil wala tayong methodical way of selection,” he added in the program presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO Philippines, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

“From there we’ll be able to widen the range of selection, maraming karera, maraming lugar and then para maging maayos ang ating selection, we will have to assign ranking or points,” 

The official also expressed his plan to hold events in provinces and make triathlon more accessible to local athletes.

“Magkakaroon ng opportunity din yung mga malalayo [na nasa province] na can't afford to go from Subic to Manila, do’n na sa lugar nila gagawin, para along the way maghanap tayo ng mga atleta,”

The country is set to host continental events, including the Asian Duathlon Championships set on Nov. 25-26 at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, and Asia Triathlon Para Championship, which is going to be held in Subic Bay in June 2024.