Cebu hosts world arnis tilt in July

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) is on cloud nine after bagging 14 gold medals in the recent 30th SEA Games where host Philippines regained the overall crown.

Sen. Miguel Zubiri, PEKAF president, is hoping that the Filipinos can ride the momentum of the latest success when the country hosts the World Championships in July.

Zubiri, a gold medalist in the 1989 World Championships, said FEKAP would not leave any stone unturned for the 16th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF).

“We have to take advantage of the success of arnis during the SEA Games with the hosting of the World Championship next year,” PEKAF executive vice president Gerald Cañete said.

Cañete added that they expect at least 40 countries and 1,000 athletes to vie in the 50 events.

Cebu, which is celebrating its 500th year in 2020, will host the biennial World Championships, which was held in Hawaii in 2018. Lapu-Lapu City will host the event.

“Arnis is our national sports, and it originated in the province of Cebu, which is celebrating its 500th year,” added Cañete.