MANILA, Philippines - Around 1,000 taekwondo athletes are expected to see action in the 2013 SMART national inter-school championships on Sept. 21-22 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Five hundred schools nationwide which are affiliated with the Philippine Taekwondo Association have committed to join the competition featuring novice and advance male and female jins in four different categories – seniors, juniors, cadets and grade school.
Members of the national training pool which belong to some of the participating institutions are eligible to compete.
“The tournament also gives young, upcoming players the opportunity to display their respective techniques and styles,†said organizing committee chairperson Sung Chon Hong.
Among the schools that will vie for honors are La Salle (Taft, Zobel, Lipa and Dasmariñas), College of St. Benilde, University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo, Far Eastern University, University of the East, San Beda College (Alabang, Mendiola and Taytay), Letran College, Don Bosco School (Makati and Mandaluyong), St. Theresa’s College, Lourdes School (Mandaluyong and Quezon City), OBMC, University of Batangas, Diliman Preparatory School, School of St. Anthony, St. Vincent School, UPIS and Rizal High School.
The two-day tournament is sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, SMART Communications, MVP Sports Foundation, PLDT, TV5, Meralco and Milo.
Competition starts at 9 a.m. on both days. Martial arts enthusiasts and sports fans, especially children who are interested to learn the sport, are invited to watch the tourney.