Juico gives young Quezon City fencers big boost

MANILA, Philippines - Even poor kids can take up and excel in expensive sports like fencing.

A group of 12- to 18-year-old fencers from Quezon City, which has won a number of local tournaments, is being eyed to represent the country in the Asian Youth Olympics in Singapore this year.

The fencers paid a courtesy call on Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping yesterday.

“We know that fencing is an expensive sport. They don’t have mats but it’s not a hindrance for them because they are winning in prestigious tournaments,” said PSC commissioner Joey Mundo.

The PSC said it is planning to support three of these fencers when they compete for berths in the Singapore event slated June 29-July 7.

The fencers, handled by QC First District Councilor Joseph Juico, son of former PSC chair and The STAR sports columnist Philip Ella Juico, are also set to participate in more events as part of their buildup for the Singapore meet.

Mundo also learned 12 fencers share one uniform yet they continue to win medals in local cadette class tournaments.

Fencing is just one of the many sports under the grassroots development program handled by Juico in his district from West Triangle to Ramon Magsaysay to Del Monte area.

Mundo encouraged more local government units to do the same.

“We will now talk with QC Mayor Sonny Belmonte so that we can help them in their sports program,” said Mundo.