PHILIPPINE Inter-School Sport Association (PISSA) president Mary G. Ng recently presented her organization’s programs and activities, which include various national tournaments and international competitions.
The PISSA is a national school federation in the Philippines recognized by the International School Sport Federation (ISF), which in turn is affiliated with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Preparations are underway for the country’s participation in the coming ISF Gymnasiade 2025, also known as the World School Games for athletes aged 15 and under, to be held in Serbia from April 4 to 14, 2025.
The PISSA Executive Board, which is also headed by Ng, will soon determine the two sportsmen, who will act as the Philippine head of delegation and the flag bearer to the World School Games in Serbia.
Assisted by Deputy President David Ong, Ng has started preparations for the national qualifying tournaments in the multiple sports events that the Philippines will be taking part of in the ISF World Games.
Initially, the PISSA will field entries in archery, basketball 3×3, judo, orienteering and table tennis.
Members of the PISSA Executive Board are Christian Tan (Senior Vice President), Joseph Sy (Secretary General), Cecil Sarmiento (Treasurer), Chester Lim (Director), Carlito Fermanes (Director), and Ricky Chua (Director). Technical members are Albert Andaya, Romulo Raytos, Edwin Co, and Wilson Guevarra.
Various national tournaments have been organized by the PISSA annually. Among them are the PISSA Juniors Basketball Championship and the PISSA Juniors Volleyball Championship, staged in partnership with the Senior High School membership schools belonging to the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP), led by its president Edwin C. Fabro, and FESSAP Chairman of the Board Alvin Tai Lian.
The FESSAP regulates multiple leagues such as the Philippine University Archery League (PUAL), Philippine University Basketball League (PUBL), and the Philippine Wushu Colleges and Clubs Association (PWCCA) tournament, whose competitions are aligned with the PISSA program to help uplift Philippine sports nationwide at the university and college level.
In archery, the PISSA and FESSAP struck an agreement to have the Philippine University Archery League conduct the National Qualifying Tournaments not only featuring student-athletes at the university level, but also in the senior high school ranks.
The partnership between the PISSA and FESSAP is supported by the Philippine Airlines, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Bestank Manufacturing, LT Group Inc., Healthy Options, Seascape Village Seafoods, Paddock’s Casual Jeans, KELME Sportswear, OMNI Electrical and Lighting, and HENN Athletic Club.
“As the leading organizations of both the PISSA and FESSAP in the Philippines, we shall hold more national competitions in other disciplines as our own little way to uplift sport in the country,” said Ng and Fabro in a joint statement.