Philippine Skating Union sets priorities

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Skating Union is not losing track of its ultimate goal as it steps up its efforts to further promote the sport in a tropical country like the Philippines.

Skating Union of the Philippines president Nikki Cheng said the ultimate goal for the PSU is to field a female skater in the Winter Olympics, and is pinning their hopes on Sofia Frank and Isabela Gamez.

“Ang pangarap pa din is to bring a female skater to the Olympics,” she said during yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Michael Christian Martinez broke the ice for the Philippines when he competed in the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics where he finished 18th and 28th, respectively. He became the first skater from Southeast Asia to vie in the Winter Olympics.

Cheng told the forum that the PSU will not stop pursuing that goal.

“It’s a milestone that we want to happen,” said Cheng, who was joined by national team coach Abraham Domdom.

On tap for the PSU in the remainder of the year are the Southeast Asian Trophy: Manila Series in October, the National Figure Skating Championships in November and the Carols on Ice also in November, all at the SM Skating Mall of Asia.

Domdom also said the PSU has tapped two foreign coaches for a five-day camp that will cater to skaters in the national pool. As part of the Trophy Series, the PSU has also invited an Olympian from the United Kingdom to stage a clinic.

Cheng said starting in August, National University will include ice skating in its PE calendar and is initially set to cater to as many as 900 students.