Nakapanghihinayang ang mga oportunidad na humulagpos sa kamay ni Pinay netter Marian Jade Capadocia sa nakalipas dulot nang ‘pulitika’ sa Philippine Amateur Tennis Association (Philta).
Ngayon, may bagong pag-asa na naghihintay sa dating Philippine women’s single No.1.
Sa ayuda ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), sa pamumuno ni chairman William ‘Butch’ Ramirez, nakalahok ang 22-anyos multi-titled netter sa ITF (International Tennis Federation) sanctioned tournament sa Egypt para makalikom ng sapat na puntos na magiging tiket niya para abutin ang pinapangarap na makalaro sa major tournament.
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“I’m happy and blessed po at nabigyan po uli ako ng pagkakataon na makalaro sa ITF sanctioned event. With the help of the PSC I joined two tournaments in Cairo Egypt last January. I was so lucky to be in the main draw and won my first round,” pahayag ni Capadocia.
Ginapi niya si Sara El Ghazouly ng Egypt, ngunit kinapos kay seeded No. 8 Marinkovic ng Serbia, na rank 604 sa mundo.
Ayon kay Capadocia, si Marinkovic ang kampeon sa torneo noong Disyembre.
Hindi naman nakalusot sa qualifying tournament sa second ITF Cairo Open si Capadocia.
“I got 1 ITF point or equivalent of 300 PHILTA points in the first leg of Cairo event. Being able to obtain a single ITF point really need hard work. I did this for the love of the game and to have a chance to accumulate enough ITF points to qualify in the WTA event soon. I got my first ITF point in Alakmaar, Netherlands last June(my first and only tournament last year) and Cairo is my first tournament this year,” pahayag ni Capadocia.
“It is so hard to enter in the ITF women’s circuit qualifying rounds. You have to win 3 to 4 consecutive matches in the qualifying just to enter the main draw. To earn points you have to win the first round.
“I am determined to improve my skills and pursue my dream to play in higher level tennis competitions,” pahayag ni Capadocia na nagsisilbing coach ang ama na si Joenito.
Hindi naitago ng SEA Games veteran ang pagkadismaya sa pamunuan ng Philta na imbes na suporta at inalis pa siya sa line-up ng Philippine Team, sa kabila ng pagiging rank No.1.
“Hopefully, pag nagkaroon na rin ng pagbabago sa Philta, makabalik ako sa team,” aniya.
Nakatakdang magsagawa ng eleksiyon si Philta matapos ma-pressure ng private sponsors at ilang opisyal ang pangulo nitong si dating PSC commissioner Salvador Andrada.
Sa kabila ng pagkawala sa RP Team, binigyan ng tulong ng PSC si Capadocia para makalaro sa ITF tournament.
“We in the PSC is after the welfare of the athletes. Kung deserving naman tapos ginigipit lang ng kanilang asosasyon, nandito kami at tutulungan namin sila,” pahayag ni Ramirez. (Edwin Rollon)
