IT’S all systems go as the Philippines plays host to the 17th World University Golf Championship at the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club in Lubao, Pampanga from May 16 to 19 this year.
With the strong commitment and dedication of the workforce of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines, which is organizing the prestigious event that is sanctioned by the International University Sports Federation, preparations for the WUGC have been going on smoothly.
Spearheaded by Marius Aseron as the Chair of the WUGC Organizing Committee, Atty. Baldomero Estenzo, David U. Ong, Godofredo Gallega, Alvin Tai Lian, Prof. Robert Milton Calo, Col. Ariel Querubin, Atty. Maria Luz Arzaga-Mendoza, and Dr. Diosdado Amante, the FESSAP is teaming up with the Provincial Government of Pampanga.
The group is led by Gov. Lilia Pineda and her husband, philanthropist-businessman Rodolfo Pineda, Lubao City Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, and Pradera Verde Golf Club Manager Mike Singgaran.
Over the past months, members of the FESSAP National Secretariat have made several visits to the Pradera golf course to make sure everything is in order.
WUGC-OC Chairman Aseron will be assisted by his Vice Chairs’ Emmanuel Edward Co and Benito Techico.
So far, 21 countries namely USA, Switzerland, China, Australia, Czech Republic, France (defending team champion), Great Britain, Israel, Hong Kong, Japan, Nepal, Poland, New Zealand, Netherlands, South Africa, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Ireland, Malaysia, Mongolia, Canada and the Philippines, have registered with the WUGC Secretariat supervised by Joseph Sy, Cecil Sarmiento, Nga Yee Rodas, Fructuso Raytos, Eloisa Guillermo, and Ann Janeth Garcia.
This will be the largest number of participating countries since the debut of the WUGC events in 1986.
FESSAP is a member of International University Sports Federation, which is sanctioning the Golf championship.
FISU president Oleg Matysin of Russia may yet visit the country to grace the opening on May 16 as per the advice of the WUGC Organizing Committee.
Designated by the FISU, Australian-born Dominic Wall is the technical head of the 17th World University Golf Championship in Lubao, Pampanga.
Each country will be sending a delegation of three male and three female athletes, a Coach, a Team Leader, and a Head of Delegation.