The National Orienteering of the Philippines Inc. (NOPi) will compete in the 4th Asian Junior and Youth Orienteering Championship (AsJYOC) to be held in Hong Kong from December 23 to 27 this year.
The event is being organized by the Orienteering Association of Hong Kong with approval from the International Orienteering Federation and under the supervision of the IOF Foot Orienteering Commission.
The participation of the Philippines was made possible by the NOPi Board. Raul Ballado, NOPi Deputy Secretary General and a former Police Special Force, has been tasked to look for orienteering athletes (male and female) that meet the age limit of 20 years old in the Junior category.
The athletes may come from the high school and university levels, or any athlete for as long he/she qualifies with the age requirement.
Raul Ballado has been assigned to coordinate with the event organizer Lok-Hin Ma, the Vice President of the OAHK who is the Event Director of the 4th AsJYOC 2021.
“This is a great opportunity for all sports enthusiasts, in whatever disciplines, t0 showcase their skills in orienteering,” said Antonio L. Tiu, NOPi President.
“This is one form of exercise that builds up your stamina and puts to test your ability to integrate your physical agility and mindset while running under challenging conditions,”
The NOPi is affiliated with the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, the only national university sports federation that is recognized by the International University Sports Federation.
The partnership between the NOPi and the FESSAP was struck through the intercession of FESSAP president Angel Ngu and FESSAP Chairman of the Board Alvin Tai Lian.
Other members of the NOPi Board are Felix Tiukinhoy Jr. (CESAFI), Leonardo Andres (LACUAA), Robert Milton Calo (FESSAP), Gen. Gilberto Cruz (PNP), Maria Cecilia Sarmiento (Treasurer), Eric Samson (NOPi Secretary General), Sean Elijah SIy (PWCCA), JC Clarito (School Affairs), Graham Padilla-Lim (PISSA), Antonio Quiza (BAP), Jean Marie Lucas (Philippine Air Force), Loren Chloe Balaoing (Cordillera Region), Manuel Huab (Bicol Region), and Bong Bayabao (Philippine National Police).
As the event’s coordinator, Ballado has been also been tasked to make a feasibility study to determine if a qualifying tournament can be held in early June this year, granting that the pandemic would have been neutralized by the time.
Ballado will coordinate with expert from Hong Kong currently living in Sweden, Rapahel Mak, to guide him from the NOPi Junior Orienteering qualifying tournament to the 4th AsJYOC this December.
The NOPi Junior Orienteering Championship may be held in one of the selective universities in Manila.