IBILANG ang Filipino martial arts sport na arnis sa mina na mapagkukunan ng gintong medalya ng Team Philippines sa 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Sa pangangasiwan ni Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) president Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, matinding pagsasanay at paghahanda ang ginawa ng Pinoy arnistador at target ang hindi baba sa 12 gintong medalya sa pagsabak sa biennial meet na nakatakda sa Nov. 30-Dec. 11.
“This is an exciting time for arnis in the country.We (PEKAF) are confident that arnis could very well be a gold mine for the country in the SEA Games,” pahayag ni PEKAF executive vice president Gerald Cañete sa kanilang pagbisita sa 49th “Usapang Sports” ng Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports (TOPS) kahapon sa National Press Club sa Intramuros.
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“We could win 11 to 12 golds in arnis. In fact, wec an get as many as eight golds right on the first day of competitions,” ayon kay Cañete sa lingguhang sports forum na itinataguyod ng Philippine Sports Commission, National Press Club, PAGCOR, Community Basketball Association at HG Guyabano Tea Leaf Drinks.
Ayon kay Cañete, tatayo ring competition manager sa arnis, na isasabak nila ang 20 atleta – 10 sa men’s at 10 sa women’s divisions.
“They are definitely the best and the brightest arnis players we have right now. They were selected after three rigid qualifying tournaments in Luzon, VIsayas and Mindanao, and another one in the National Capital Region,” sambit ni Cañete, anak ng tinaguriang “Father of Arnis “ sa bansa na si Dionisio.
Iginiit ni PEKAF Executive Director Andrus Dominic Lacbayo na mabigat na kalaban ang Vietnam para sa overall title sa arnis.
“Vietnam is very good in arnis, too. Myanmar and Cambodia can also win a few gold medals. But I am sure we will get most of the gold medals at stake,” ayon kay Lacbayo.
