Philippine Inter-School Sport Association President Alvin Tai Lian has designated Ambassador Francis Chua, a businessman-philanthropist, to be the Team Leader of the Athletics team to the 18th Gymnasiade to be held in Jinjiang City in Fujian, China in October 2020.
A former president of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industries Inc. , Chua accepted the position on the persistence of Angel Ngu, President of the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines.
Tai was very thankful that Ngu was able to convince Chua to join the Philippine delegation to the 18th Gymnasiade 2020, also known as the 18th School Summer Games 2020.
The Gymnasiade 2020 competitions, held every two years, will have 18 disciplines. These are Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Diving, Fencing, Football, Aerobic Gymnastics, Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Wrestliing, Wushu, and Jump Rope.
Tai said the PISSA intends to participate in 14 of the 18 sports events.
He expressed gratitude to Yang Hua Hong, the Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Yatai International Corporation, which manufactures the popular OMNI Electrical and Lighting products. Yatai International Corporation was the first corporate sponsor to partner with the PISSA in its participation in the 18th Gymnasiade.
As Head of the Delegaton to the 18th Gymnasiade, Tai was also delighted that Ngu accepted the appointment as the Philippines’ Flag Bearer to the Gymnasiade in October next year.
The PISSA is officially recognized by the International School Sport Federation, the global body that sanctions the 18th Gymnasiade 2020.
The Jinjiang Gymnasiade Sports Center will be the site of the event’s opening ceremonies on October 20 and the closing ceremonies on October 23.
PISSA Secretary General Joseph Amparo Sy is calling for a PISSA Executive Board meeting next week to discuss the division of work of the different working committees that will oversee the qualifying tournaments.
The PISSA Executive Board is composed of Felix Tiukinhoy (Vice President), Robert Milton Calo (Vice President), Ann Janeth Garcia (Deputy Secretary General), Cecil Sarmiento (Treasurer), Gladys Sia (Assistant Treasurer), Sean Elijah Siy (Wushu), Edgar Galeno (Swimming), Antonio Quiza, Fructuso Raytos, Raquel Padilla Lim (Special Projects), JC Clarito (Badminton), and Kert Bryan Ocampo (Tennis).