SEN. ZUBIRI OPTIMISTIKONG HAHATAW ANG LARONG ARNIS SA CAMBODIA SEAGAMES

NAGBABADYANG isama na ng host Cambodia ang larangan ng arnis sa paghataw ng 32nd Southeast Asian Games Phnom Penh 2023.

Ang larong arnis ay kinakitaan lang ng aksiyon at naging medal event noong 2005 at 2019 SEAGames na parehong ginanap sa Pilipinas.

“We in the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation( PEKAP ) are very proud and very excited that we are finally seeing Arnis on a SEAGames stage beyond our shores,” wika ni Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri na siya ring pinuno ng PEKAF bilang Chairman at Pangulo.

“We have been long promoting Arnis on the international stage,and working for it to be included as a regular sport in the SEAGames slate. And with the spectacular Arnis in the 30th SEAGames, I think our Southeast Asian neighbors had a great chance to gain a deeper respect for and appreciation of the sport. And now we are really getting to showcase and celebrate the great sport outside our own country,” dagdag pa ng senador.

Ang Philippine National Arnis team ay humakot ng record 14 na gintong medalyang ani noong 2019 SEAGames kasama ang 4 na silver at 2 bronzes upang dominahin ng Pilipinas ang medal tally kontra 3 pang kalahok na bansang Asean na Vietnam, Myanmar at Cambodia.

“The inclusion of Arnis in the upcoming SEAGames is not just about having chance to score more medals.It is also a really significant move  that gives us a platform to showcase Arnis as part of our culture. And it establishes Arnis as an indispensable part of our Southeast Asian martial arts movement,” diin ng mambabatas mula Mindanao.

“So I really thank the Cambodia National Olympic Committee and the SEAGames Federation for recognizing the importance of Arnis, and carving out a space for it and their sporting program.”

Bilang preparasyon para sa naturang biennial meet, ang PEKAF ay magdaraos ng mga qualifying  sa National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao sa Nobyembre at Disyembre. Ang mga magwawagi ay sasabak muli kontra kasalukuyang Philippine national arnis  team para naman lumahok sa paparating na SEAGames.

“We are looking forward to discovering  new players in the qualifiers to bring their fire and energy into the national team – a formidable  one formed from the qualifiers and the Battle of Champions,” ani pa Zubiri.