THE Philippine Wushu Colleges and Clubs Association (PWCCA) is ready to move forward this year.
The PWCCA officers, led by Benson L. Ong, a businessman-philanthropist, as association president, were formally inducted into office by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Also inducted were Gladys Carrascoso Sia, vice president; Sean Elijah Wico Siy, secretary-general; Abigail Faniega, treasurer; and Sherwin John Bromajon, Czarina Joy Hagos, Jomar Balangui, and Edmundo ‘Eddie’ Ang, directors.
The PWCCA Board of Directors were likewise recognized by the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) president Angel Ngu and FESSAP Chairman of the Board Alvin Tai Lian during the annual FESSAP Board of Trustees meeting held in Manila.
Ong had tasked Sia, Faniega, and Siy to recruit outstanding high school athletes in preparation for the PWCCA’s participation in the 18th Gymnasiade 2020 in Jinjiang China, which is also known as the 18th World School Summer Games.
Unfortunately, the games were postponed due to the pandemic. The have been moved to October this year.
The first qualifying tournament staged by the PWCCA was the first Youth Open Wushu Tournament on February 15, 2020.
It was held at the Philippine National Police (PNP) facility in Camp Crame, Quezon City with the approval of Police Brigadier General Manuel M. Abu, Director HSS in Camp Crame, and supported by PNP PSSG Abul Khair Bayabao, the skipper of the PNP basketball team.
Serving as the PNP sports coordinator, Bayabao was instrumental for the free use of their gymnasium during the tournament.
Among the international events that were postponed included the qualifiers for the 20th ASEAN University Games in June 2020 in Thailand, and the Chengdu Universiade Games 2021 in China.
Despite the restrictions due to the pandemic, the wushu athletes were not deterred in their goals as they continue to be upbeat that it won’t be long before the pandemic is contained, and the sporting competitions here and abroad are revived.
The PWCCA is learning new ways to do sports amidst the global crisis.
There are online activities organized by the organization to boost the morale of the athletes and strengthen the bond among them by way of doing workouts or any activity that can contribute to a healthy life. Graham C. Lim
