Zubiri to quit as PEKAF chief if...

CEBU, Philippines — Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) President Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri is dead serious in fulfilling his promise of producing 15 gold medals in arnis event of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. 

Zubiri said he means business and that he is willing to quit his post as PEKAF head if the country's arnis team fails to deliver in the biennial multi-sport event.

“We really have a good chance in getting at least 15 gold medals that is why I’m going to do everything to provide the athletes the proper conditioning and training in preparation for the SEA Games,”  said Zubiri during PEKAF’s monthly meeting the other night at the Tin Gow restaurant in Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. "We are assembling a strong team. We will get the best of the best to represent the country.”

“I am an output-oriented person. I want to walk the talk. If I cannot deliver my promise, I will not hesitate to resign as their president. This also serves as a challenge not only on the athletes but also to the PEKAF officers.”

“The POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) and PSC (Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) recognized us as the go-to event in the SEA Games and we are confident that we can contribute heavily in the Philippine team’s goal of improving our standing from sixth to at least top three,” he added.

Aside from providing intensive and scientific training and hiring nutritionists, PEKAF will also host an Asian Invitational Championship early next year to provide the Filipino stick-fighters a tune-up tournament.

Zubiri also said that they are also working closely with Vietnam to make sure that there will be an arnis event in the 2021 SEA Games.

“Our ultimate goal together is to make arnis a regular sport in SEA Games and we’re already working that out by having constant communication with the Vietnam Olympic Committee,” said Zubiri.

PEKAF Executive Vice President Gerald Cañete, for his part, expressed his gratitude to Zubiri who united all arnis clubs in the country through his great leadership.

"We've been hungry for change and finally we found it through Senator Zubiri's leadership. We owe him a lot," said Cañete.

Meanwhile, PEKAF gave recognition to seven Cebuano arnisadors who harvested gold medals during the 15th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) Championships last July 18-22 at the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui, Hawaii.

They were Jeffrey Navarrete (2 golds, 3 silvers, 4 bronzes), Crysthil Mae Gumajin (1-6-1), Oswen Kenret Bautista (6-2-0), Dexler Bolambao (7-2-0), Mary Joyce Dabalos (5-2-1), Steven Atenta (2-1-2), and Trixie Mary Lofranco (2-2-2).