NEW CLARK CITY, Tarlac -- More than 500 national athletes have tried out the new sports facilities here for the two pre-qualifying competitions for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

The final leg of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association weekly relay series began Sunday at the 20,000-seater Athlete Stadium.

Some of the sports events are the 10,000-meter run for men and women, 100-meter hurdles, high jump, long jump, hammer throw, javelin throw, and steeplechase.

Winners will be part of the national team that would compete in the 2019 SEA Games.

Array Perez, deputy director-general of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee, said this will serve as a sports rehearsal for the SEA Games and will also test the facilities if they are up to the standards of the athletes.

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BCDA president and CEO Vivencio Dizon said that after the SEA Games, the facilities would be used by Filipino athletes and serve as a venue for concerts and other sports events.

The 1st National Open Swimming Championships, meanwhile, began Saturday at the Aquatic Center and will last until Tuesday.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.