Wushu to hold national meet, summer classes

The Wushu Federation of the Philippines is staging the 2003 National Wushu Championships set May 16-18 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

And in preparation for the event, the WFP also bared plans to embark on a grassroots development program and hold summer classes in basic wushu, taijiquan and combat sanshou starting March 24 at the newly-built WFP Gymnasium at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

"The program is aimed at discovering fresh talents in line with our grassroots development thrust and would complement the national championships, which we expect would yield potentials," said Francis Chan, WFP honorary chairman.

"These activities will certainly help boost our preparations for the forthcoming Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam," Chan added.

According to WFP president Julian Camacho, the summer program will offer classes in basic wushu that would cater to the youth aged 8-18 years old, basic combat sanshou for 12-18 years old, while the basic taijiquan targets the 8-60 age bracket. For inquiries, call telephone numbers 404-3491 to 93.

Outstanding products of the summer program will compete in the national championships, which is expected to showcase the country’s best, as well as the brightest prospects in the sport.

The Philippines is known as a wushu powerhouse in the Southeast Asian region and a very strong contender in Asia, validated by the two silver and three bronze medals the country took home from the Asian Games in Busan last year.

Just recently, Minister Li Jizhian of the State Sports Administration of China arrived in Manila and sought the support of both the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee for their move to push for the inclusion of wushu to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.