MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Taekwondo Association stages its biggest annual event – the SMART National Championships – on July 26-27 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Around 2,000 athletes, including members of the Philippine team, are expected to see action in the two-day tournament sponsored by SMART Communications Inc., PLDT, Meralco, TV5, Milo, Philippine Sports Commission and MVP Sports Foundations.
Other participants will from various chapters and regions like ARMM, CAR, CARAGA, NCR, Ateneo, DLSU, CSB, UST, UE, FEU, LSGH, Lyceum, San Beda College, Don Bosco Makati, UP Diliman, DPS, Central Gymnasium, Negros Taekwondo Union, Cebu, DLSZ, Las Pinas, Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army and PNP.
It will be a team event, with each team composed of five fighters and two alternates. The national athletes will vie for their respective home teams.
Competition will be conducted in eight divisions, namely, senior, junior, cadet and grade for male and female.
According to Organizing Committee chairman Grand Master Sung Chon Hong, the event will utilize the different taekwondo officiating systems like PSS (Protective Scoring) ESS (Electronic Scoring) and Daedo PSS. IVR (Instant Video Replay) will also be implemented during the competition. The various systems will help eliminate human error and upgrade the championships.
Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Ricardo Garcia, PSC Commissioner Wigberto Clavecilla, SMART, MVPSF and Milo officials have been invited as special guests.
Martial arts enthusiasts and sports buffs, particularly children who are interested to learn the sport, are invited to watch. Elimination matches will start at 9 a.m. while the opening ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on July 27 highlighted by a performance from the Philippine Demonstration team.