MANILA, Philippines – Pinangunahan ni Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel “MIgz” Zubiri ang pagbubukas ng National Battle of Champion (NBOC) sa larangan ng arnis na inilunsad ng Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) sa Rizal Memorial Coliseum sa Maynila kamakailan.
Bilang PEKAF President at National Chairperson kasama ni Zubiri sa pagbubukas sina Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio at Manila Sports Council Director Dale Evangelista, nakumakatawan kay Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Malugod na nagpahayag ng buong suporta si Gregorio na dalhin ang larong arnis sa international sporting events, kabilang sa Southeast Asian Games, saka binanggit ang plano sa Southeast Asian Sports Tourism Summit kasama si ASEAN activities sa Pilipinas sa darating na Nobyembre.
Nagsisilbi ang NBOC bilang national seeding program na PEKAF na magbibigay sa mga nangungunang performers ng opurtunidad na makuha Philippine National Arnis Team training pool.
“Hindi lang basta 358 athletes ang nandito ngayon. These are champions from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao who fought their way here, and some of them may become the next members of our Philippine National Arnis Team,” ani Zubiri.
Inihayag din ni Gregorio ang cash incentives sa miyembro ng Philippine National Arnis Team na lumahok sa katatapos na 18th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation World Championship sa New Delhi, India, na kung saan ang isang manipis na Philippine contingent na may walong atleta at tatlong coach ang nakakopo ng 19 gold, apat na silver at isang bronze medal.
“Ito na siguro ang mga susunod na Alex Ealas ng arnis. Imagine that: eight athletes, 24 medals. Masarap mangarap what our arnis athletes can achieve if we give more of them the training, exposure and support they deserve,” giit ni Zubiri.
Giit pa ni Zubiri na “the National Battle of Champions brings together gold and silver medalists from the Luzon and National Capital Region, Visayas and Mindanao qualifying tournaments, with 92 gold medals at stake in the Seniors and Juniors divisions.”
Nangako naman si Angara, ang guest speaker ng event na ilalahok ang larong arnis sa isports na binibigyan ng scholarship sa National Academy of Sports sa New Clark City sa Capas, Tarlac at lumikha ng mas maraming events para sa arnis sa susunod na Palarong Pambansa.
“Kung mas maraming kabataan ang mabibigyan ng pagkakataong matuto at lumaban sa arnis, mas marami tayong madi-discover na future champions,” giit ni Zubiri. “Arnis is our national martial art and sport, and our young people should know that they can build a future in a sport that is truly our own.”
Kasama sa event sina PEKAF EVP Gerard Tongson, Secretary General Rene Tongson, Tournament Director GM Ike Xavier Villaflores, GM Efren Apresto, GM Wilfredo Bacalso, Chairman Patty Jean Caballero, GM Samuel Dulay, Tuhon Vicente Garrucho, GM Danilo Jorquia, GM Generoso Martinada Jr., Doc Paulo Motita, GM Mario Palazuelo, GM Bella Marie Saguin GM Bernard Sepulveda.
“Arnis was born here. Dapat tayo rin ang manguna sa pagpapalago nito sa buong mundo. The champions we are watching today can be the athletes who will carry our flag tomorrow,” giit ni Zubiri. Ernie Reyes
