SIARGAO ISLAND, Surigao del Norte – Sa harap ng nagbubunying kababayan, hindi nagpadaig ang Filipino surfers laban sa world-class na karibal, nagawang makausad ng pitong atleta sa quarterfinals ng 25th Siargao International Surfing championship nitong Sabado sa pamosong Cloud 9 surfing club dito.
Hataw sina John Mark Tokong, Kent Brian Solloso at Carlito Nogralo sa kani-kanilang heats para sandigan ang kampanya ng Pilipinas sa pamosong torneo na nagtatampok sa pinakamahuhusay na surfers sa mundo at sa pagtataguyod ng World Surf League.
Kabuuang 20 bansa ang nakiisa sa kompetisyon na pinangasiwaan ng local organizers sa pamumuno ni Siargao Representative Bingo Matugas at pagtataguyod ni Surigao del Norte Governor Francisco “Lalo’’ Matugas.
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“The event will give our local surfers much-needed exposure and will help them earn points to qualify for the Olympics. Surging is a sport in which our locals can excel. With proper training and funding, our surfers can help us clinch an Olympic medal,’’ pahayag ni Representative Matugas.
“Considering that this is the 25th anniversary of the event, we would like to make the event grand and memorable and Globe’s valuable support will surely ensure the competition’s success,” aniya.
Umusad din sa susunod na round ng torneo na suportado ng Globe Telecom at Sprite sina local bets PJ Alipayo, Christian Araquil, at Neil Sanchez at Jay R Esquivel.
Ikinatuwa ni World Surf League Asia General Manager Steve Robertson and operations manager Gerry Degan ang maayos na organisasyon at pagpapatupad nang programa. Tunay na hinangaan din niya ang kagandahan ng Siargao na tunay namang world-class para sa surfing competition.
“The level of competition is extremely high,’’ pahayag ng 35-anyos na Australian.
Pormal na nagsimula ang torneo Sabado ng hapon sa payak na opening ceremony na dinaluhan ng organizers at sponsors, kabilang sina Representative Matugas, Gov, Matugas, top officials of the local government units, medical teams, law enforcers at Coca Cola Philippines Public and Corporate Affairs Director lawyer Juan Lorenzo Tanada.
Suportado rin ng Philippine Sports Commission, sa pamumuno ni Chairman Butch Ramirez ang torneo. Kinatawan siya ni PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, kasama ang mga opisyal na Chinese Embassy officials na nakabase sa Davao City.
