Cebu to host WEKAF joust anew

CEBU, Philippines - At least 700 eskrimadors from 29 countries around the globe will converge in the Queen City of the South for the 12th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) Championships and Congress set on July 18-24 at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

“There are so many significant events that will be happening in the week-long gathering of the top eskrimadors all over the world,” said WEKAF Chairman Emeritus and Supreme Grandmaster Dionnie Cañete in a press conference yesterday at the Cebu Grand Hotel.

For one, a head of state will add glitz and glamour to biennial joust for the first time in its 23-year history.

“Honorable Didier Robert, the president of Reunion Island in France, will be coming over to grace the week-long activity. It's the first time in WEKAF history that a head of state will be our guest of honor,” said Cañete.

“We did not expect that he will accept the invitation. It turned out that he's very much interested in the Filipino martial arts,” he added. “We are now coordinating with the office of Governor Gwen Garcia because we must accord Mr. Robert and his entourage all the diplomatic courtesy due him as a foreign dignitary.”

In another first for the WEKAF family, Cañete said they will enshrine into the hallowed portals of the newly-built Eskrima Temple eight Grandmasters from the United States and 11 from the Philippines.

The event coincides with the formal blessing and inauguration of the Eskrima Temple on July 18 at the Doce Pares Mountain Park in Brgy. Malubog, Cebu City. It's the second martial arts temple in Asia after the renowed Kung Fu Temple in China.

“I think it's high time that we give due recognition to the forebearers of eskrima/arnis. Our martial art greats should be enshrined forever for their accomplishments and contibution in the study, practice and promotions of the Filipino martial arts,” said Cañete.

Aside from host Philippines, defending champion United States, the other participating countries include France, Oman, Iran, Scotland, Ireland, England, Spain, Puerto Rico, Canada, Belgium, Germany, Norway, Hong Kong, Hungary, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, India, Greece, South Korea, Vietnam, Sweden, Poland, Ireland and Indonesia.

USA ruled the previous staging of the tournament hosted by Mexico in 2010.

The Philippines, which hosted the inaugural edition of the event on August 11- 13, 1989 at the University of the Visayas (UV)-Main gym, last won the title in 2000, but WEKAF president Master Gerald Cañete is upbeat on Phl's chances of reclaiming its old glory.

“This time we made a lot of preparations. The composition of the Philippine Team is now broader because our players went through an extensive selection process. We're training the guys hard and we will try our best to win the overall championship,” said Master Gerald Cañete.

Meanwhile, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ritchie Garcia will be the keynote speaker during the WEKAF Congress on July 19 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. - THE FREEMAN