Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines President Angel Ngu reported the achievements of the association during their annual Board of Trustees meeting recently.
The members of the FESSAP Board of Trustees for the term 2019-2021 are Ngu, Chairman of the Board Alvin Tai Lian, Godofredo E. Gallega, Baldomero C. Estenzo, David U. Ong, Membership Committee chair Robert Milton Calo, Felix Tiukinhoy Jr., Diosdado Amante, Jesus Rodrigo Torres, Gregorio Rodis, Emanuel De Guzman, Jeane E. Monteverde, Ma. Cecilia Sarmiento, Joseph Sy, Ann Janeth Garcia, Alma Jocson, and Estrellita T. Enriquez.
During the meet, Ngu reported on the organization’s performance during the 30th Summer Universiade in Napoli Italy in July 2019 and laid down the issues to be tackled in the agenda.
“As you all know, the Philippines captured a gold medal in the Napoli Universiade in men’s athletics and for that alone, the FESSAP is very proud of this achievement,” said Ngu.
The country romped away with its second Universiade gold medal since its initial participation in the Shenzhen Universiade, China event in 2011, through national athlete Ernest John Obiena in the pole vault event in athletics.
Obiena thus duplicated the feat of Grandmaster Wesley So, who snared the Universiade gold in men’s chess during the 2013 Summer Games in Kazan, Russia.
A product of Chiang Kai Shek College and the University of Santo Tomas, Obiena ruled the pole vault event on July 12, 2019.
Ngu also reported on the FESSAP’s participation in the 29th Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk, Russia from March 2 to 19 last year.
For the first time ever, the country sent an entry in the Winter Universiade through student-athlete, Mikayla Shalom P. Fabian.
Fabian competed in the women’s Figure Skating competitions during the 29th Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
Heading the Philippine delegation was Michael Dodjie Fabian, who acted on the behalf of Professor Calo. Other members of the contingent were team officials are Sharon Fabian and head coach Ronan Jay Capili.
Ngu, together with Tai Lian and Calo, Ngu also distributed the Certificates of Recognition to the FESSAP patrons for supporting the organization in their participation in local and international sports competitions and other activities through the years.
Among the personages honored was Yang Hua Hong, the Chief Executive Officer of Yatai International Corporation, makers of the Omni Electrical & Lighting, for his support to the 30th Summer Universiade in Napoli, Italy. Yang was represented by his executive secretary Yolie Que.
Another patron awarded with a Certificate of Recognition was Benson L. Ong of Canary Enterprises Incorporation and Korean Park Hyun Mo, the deputy secretary general of the Asian University Basketball Federation (AUBF).
It was Benson Ong who sponsored the Philippines’ parade uniforms during the 2017 Taipei Universiade in Taiwan.
Ngu also informed those in attendance that the ASEAN University Sports Council (AUSC) has officially recognized the FESSAP as its regular member. Moreover, the AUSC invited the FESSAP to take part in the 20th ASEAN University Games (AUG) in Ubon Ratcharhani, Thailand from December 13 to 22, 2020.
In 2019, the FESSAP also participated in several World University Championship (WUC) events such as Wushu in Macau; Muay Thai in Thailand; Badminton and Squash in Malaysia; Weightlifting in Poland; and many other international events in the Asian continent.
Furthermore, the FESSAP has recognized the newly-formed National Orienteering of the Philippines (NOP) or Orienteering-Philippines, as an affiliate member.
According to Ngu, the FESSAP will compete in various tournaments in the FISU-sanctioned World University Championship calendar for the year 2020.
Among them is the FISU World University Golf Championship in Taichung, Taiwan from June 17 – 20, 2020. Our representatives in the Male Student-Athlete division are Aidric Chan (University of Arizona), Carl Jano B. Corpus (San Jose State University) and Luis Castro (University of North Carolina). In the Female Student- Athlete division, our athletes are Samantha Marie Bruce (Seattle University), Mikhaela Fortuna (Oklahoma University), and Bernice Olivarez-Ilas (San Diego State University).
Also, the FESSAP will be sending a pair of student-athletes and two officials to Budapest, Hungary for the 15th FISU Forum from Aug. 12 to 16, 2020.
Further down the road, Ngu is eyeing the FESSAP’s participation in two prestigious international events in 2021. These are the 30th Winter
Universiade to be held in Lucerne, Switzerland from January 21 – 31, 2021 and the 31st Summer Universiade in Chengdu, China from August 8 – 19, 2021.
The FESSAP Executive Committee will soon announce the Philippines’ Head of Delegation and Philippines’ Flag-Bearer to the 30th Winter Universiade in Switzerland and 31st Summer Universiade in Chengdu in 2021.
During the meet, the FESSAP officially recognized the newly-elected officials and club members of the different disciplines, including the Board Directors of the Philippine Wushu Colleges & Clubs Association (PWCCA) Board who were inducted by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on January 31 at the City Hall of Manila.