SMC supports FESSAP in Universiade

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Corporation, through its chief executive Ramon  Ang, is extending its full support to the Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines, which is sending a 76-member delegation to the 27th Summer Universiade slated  in Kazan, Russia July 6-17.

Through the past decades, SMC has been a major proponent of sports development in the country through its sponsorship of various local and foreign sporting events.

It is involved in numerous grassroots-oriented sports. Ang is a strong advocate of youth sports.

 The FESSAP is the country’s lone university sports federation officially recognized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), which organizes the Summer Universiade and Winter Universiade every two years. The Universiade features the most prominent university athletes in the world and is considered the Olympics of university competitions.

“The FESSAP is strongly committed to the development of youth sports in the country,” said David Ong, president of the privately-funded university sports federation.  “The athletes we send to international events not only take part in sports competitions but also benefit from the cultural exchanges among the youth from other countries.”

“For the Kazan Universiade, the FESSAP is deeply honored by the presence of Mr. Ang and San Miguel Corporation in our support group.  Once again, SMC has extended its support for Philippine sports, especially to our youthful athletes.  The FESSAP is truly thankful of their support.”

The Philippine delegation will be led by chef de mission Antonio Tiu,  president of AgriNurture Inc. (ANI) and one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardees in 2011.

FESSAP deputy secretary-general and Philippine Bodybuilders Federation (PBBF) vice president, Col. Ariel Querubin, will be the Philippines’ flag bearer during the Kazan Universiade opening parade.

 Two years ago, a record 152 countries sent athletes to the biennial event in Shenzhen, China.  Only 65 countries brought home a medal, with the Philippines bringing home a silver, courtesy of taekwondo jin Samuel Thomas Harper Morrison of Far Eastern University.

Nearly 200 countries are expected to take part in Kazan.

Expected to grace the opening ceremony is Russian President Vladimir Putin.