THE preparations of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) for the 2025 World University Games has kicked into high gear with two months remaining before the biggest sporting spectacle for the world’s best university athletes reels off in the six cities of the Rhine-Ruhr Region — Duisburg, Dusseldorf, Essen, Mulheim An, Der Ruhr, and the Capital City of Germany, Berlin.
In collaboration with state universities and colleges, private institutions, and partners, the FESSAP is pulling all strings and leaving no stone unturned in its effort to hold a decent campaign in the prestigious biennial July 16 to 27 spectacle organized by the International University Sports Federation and the German University Sports Federation.
Philippine Inter-School Sport Association (PISSA) president Mary G. Ng has been confirmed as the Philippines’ Head of Delegation to the World University Games (WUG), also known as the Summer Universiade.
This was announced by FESSAP president Edwin C. Fabro and Board Chairman Alvin Tai Lian through the recommendation from the FESSAP Search Committee, headed by FESSAP honorary lifetime president David U. Ong, honorary lifetime VP Christian D. Tan, and Executive VP Prof. Robert Milton Calo, who diligently worked to recommend qualified prospective businessmen for this significant role.
For her part, Ng has recommended businessman-philanthropist Frank Lao as her Deputy Head of Delegation, with Ong assistant.
For the 2025 World University Games, the FESSAP will participate in the following competitions of student-athletes in various individual sports disciplines such as Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Swimming, Tennis, Table Tennis, Artistic Gymnastics, and Rhythmic Gymnastics.
The Philippines was chosen in the 16-team basketball event, with Mapua University, which won the PUBL Championship title and recently won the NCAA Championship title after 33 years of league membership, joining the fray.
The 16 countries in the men’s basketball teams are divided into four groups:
Group A – Germany, China, Finland, and Chinese-Taipei.
Group B – Romania, United States of America, India, and Latvia.
Group C – Czech Republic, Brazil, Philippines, and Poland.
Group D – Argentina, Lithuania, Lebanon, and Korea.
Only 16 countries have been selected to compete in the 5×5 basketball competitions.
On the other hand, National University, the Men’s Champion in the Philippine University Volleyball League (PUVL), will represent the Philippines in WUG Beach Volleyball.
So far, through the efforts of the FESSAP, four Filipino athletes have reached the medal podium in the past – two gold medals (through Wesley So in men’s chess and EJ Obiena in men’s pole vault) and two silver medals.
The team’s participation and FESSAP’s partnership are supported by BESTANK Corporation, Philippine Airlines (PAL), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), KELME Sportswear, Healthy Options, LT Group Inc., Seascape Village, PADDOCK’S Casual Jeans, OMNI Electrical and Lighting, Fronte Motors, Megaworld Corporation, Burlington Socks, Cobra Energy Drinks, and HENN Athletic Club.
The FESSAP is thankful to the following universities and colleges currently involved in the formation its delegation — Technological University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal University, Mapúa University, De La Salle University–Dasmariñas, University of Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, University of Cebu, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Tarlac State University, National University, Asian Institute of Maritime Studies, St. Alexius College, Bataan Peninsula State University, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Tarlac State University, Tarlac Agricultural University, College of Saint Benilde, University of Makati, University of the East, University of Michigan, and Arizona State University.
Among its affiliated member organizations are Asia Pacific University Sports Union (APUSU), Orienteering-Philippines, Philippine Inter-School Sport Association (PISSA), Federation of Asia Pacific school Sport Institutions (FAPSSI), Philippine University Archery League (PUAL), the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), ASEAN University Sports Council, Asian University Basketball Federation (AUBF), and the Philippine University Basketball League (PUBL).
Heading the FESSAP Preparation and Monitor Committee is FESSAP Executive Vice President Robert Milton Calo. Helping him out are the members of the committee, including Jeane Monteverde (Treasurer), Maria Cecilia Sarmiento (Executive Manager), Joseph A. Sy, Antonio Quiza, Dr. Jose Bonifacio Sexon Rafanan, Albert Andaya, Allan Soria, Red Dumuk (Project Consultant), Christine Diane Sarmiento, Fructuso Raytos, Sean Elijah Siy, Graham Padilla Lim Jr., Patricia Lopez, Giselle Abuga-a Bonsol, Romulo Raytos, and Legal Adviser Atty. Maria Luz Arzaga-Mendoza.