THE Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines will hold the 1st National Students Men’s Archery qualifying tournament to the 29th Summer Universiade in Taipei on Saturday at the Baguio Archery Range in Baguio City.
The inaugural men’s qualifier is being staged in coordination with the FESSAP members from the Cordillera Autonomous Region such as University of Baguio and the Baguio City Archery Club, through its president John Hongitan,
The top three winners in the men’s category will be eligible to compete in the archery competitions in the Taipei Universiade, which will be held from Aug.19 to 30 this year.
The Summer Universiade is a biennial multi-sport event that features the top university athletes around the world, including those from the United States, Russian Republic, People’s Republic of China, Germany, Japan, Great Britain, Republic of Korea and France. It is considered by many as the “Olympics” at the university level.
The qualifiers to the prestigious Taipei Universiade in the Women’s Archery category have already been selected.
Making it to the FESSAP-sanctioned Philippine archery team from the distaff side are Loren Chloe Balaoing and Shanaya Rose Dangla.
Balaoing and Dangla, both products of the University of Baguio, secured berths to the Taipei Universiade after starring in the 1st Asian University Archery Championship held in Malaysia last April.
A third female archer from the University of Baguio will join the pair in Taipei City after consultation with the school president Dhanna Kerina Bautista-Rodas.
Hongitan is grateful that archery athletes from Baguio City are being considered to represent the Philippines in the Universiade.
“The support of the FESSAP is beneficial to the archers from the City of Pines and we encourage our athletes to do their best during the Taipei competition and bring glory to the country,” said Hongitan, the Baguio City Archery Club president.
Robert Milton Calo, chair of the Universiade Preparation and Monitoring, is monitoring the results of the May 27 men’s qualifying event. The top three winners are expected to register immediately for accreditation to the 2017 Taipei Universiade.
David Ong, FESSAP President, will head the archery team to Taipei Universiade as Team leader.
