THE Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines warmly welcomed the participants to the 17th World University Golf Championship to be held at the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga from May 16 to 19.
The opening on Tuesday will have the presence of Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda and her husband, sportsman-philanthropist Rodolfo “Bong” Pineda, and Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, with WUGC Organizing Committee members, led by Marius Aseron, Emmanuel Edward Co, Benito Techico and Rolando M. Romero.
Also in attendance are WUGC OC Chief Executive Officer Mike Singgaran and his deputy, Joseph A. Sy, and FESSAP Chairman Alvin Tai Lian, Philippine Team Head of Delegation Angel Ngu and FESSAP Executive Vice President Robert Milton Calo.
Officials from the Philippine government, dignitaries from the international golf community and renowned athletes from all over the world have started arriving for the prestigious biennial world golf competition that is being organized by the FESSAP and sanctioned by the International University Sports Federation, which is the world’s governing body for university sports.
“We’re excited this early and eager to welcome all the participants to the 17th edition of the World University Golf Championship,” jointly said FESSAP president Attorney Baldomero Esstenzo and Honorary President David U. Ong. “Promoting sports and tourism and camaraderie among the participants is our main mission in staging the world golf championship here in our country. Winning takes the backseat.”
The 17th WUGC event is being held in cooperation with the Tourism Promotions Board, under the Department of Tourism and the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club.
Among the local dignitaries invited to the 17th WUGC are Philippine president Rodrigo Roa Dutuerte, who will be represented by Philippine Sports Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Tourism Promotions Board CEO Cesar Montano, CHED Chairman Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III, National Golf Association president Carlos Coscolluela Jr., State Colleges and Universities president Tirso Ronquillo, Philippine Olympic Committee Chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who co-hosted with FESSAP Organizing Committee Chairman Christian Tan, the World University Cycling Championship held in Tagaytay City in March 2016.
The WUGC Organizing Committee has long been in talks with several national government entities and the local government of Pampanga for the coordinated and safe arrival of the participants, especially dignitaries from the national government and delegates from the international community.
Helping out in the campaign are Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Eddie Monreal, Bureau of immigration’s Jaime H. Morante, and Lubao PNP Chief Col. Monico Cadayona, whose personnel will provide security during the event.