Martinez to perform in ISU meet

MANILA, Philippines - Olympian Michael Martinez performs a special opening number before 56 skaters from 15 countries strut their wares in the ISU World Development Trophy skating event starting at 9:30 a.m. today at the SM Megamall Skating Rink.

Skaters from the Philippines, Argentina, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, North Korea, South Africa, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, UAE and Uzbekistan, aged 11 to 16, vie in the championship capping the six-day event also involving a training camp under a top-caliber ISU coach.

Last year, the Philippine Skating Union (PhSU) also hosted the same event over at the SM Mall of Asia Ice Skating Rink participated in by 11 nations.

“This could be the last time we’re hosting the World Development Trophy because of Michael Martinez,” said PhSU president Pocholo Veguillas, suggesting the Philippines is now considered a “developed” ice skating country following Martinez’s qualification in the last Winter Olympics.

“The International Skating Union is now offering us to host much bigger competitions. We have a forthcoming summit, and we’ll formally know the events they’re giving us,” Veguillas also said.

Veguillas hinted at hosting the Four Continents championships in the near future.

“That’s the biggest event next to the world championship since skaters all over the world, except from Europe, compete there,” Veguillas said.

“Thanks to Michael Martinez, ice skating is big now in the country. Skaters have increased. There are many kids, aged six to 12, interested in getting into it,” said Manuelito Sultay, the SM skating rink operations manager.

“I’m so happy many kids are getting into it, and I’m so happy with the support I’m getting now,” said Martinez.

“My advice to the kids? Visualization lang. Sabihin nyo sa sa sarili nyo you’ve been doing this for a long time already and that you can do it. Train harder and fight,” Martinez also said.

Before holding much bigger events, the PhSU promises to make the 2014 ISU Development Trophy a big success.

The event’s main objective is to provide incentive to ISU members currently inactive or having only a limited level of activity in one or several ISU sport disciplines, according to Veguillas.

To help oversee the event is ISU Speed Skating referee Kelvin Nicolle.