Ni ANN ENCARNACION
BUKAS ang University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) na isama ang sports na weightlifting at boxing.
Kasunod ito sa matagumpay na kampanya ng dalawang sports sa nagdaang 2020 +1 Tokyo Olympics kung saan sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay nakapag-uwi ng gold medal ang Pinay weightlifter na si Hidilyn Diaz.
Tatlong Olympics medals naman ang nasungkit ng national boxing team– dalawang silver mula kina Nesthy Petecio at Carlo Paalam, at bronze mula kay Eumir Marcial.
Bunga nito, hiniling ni Diaz at ng tatlong Pinoy boxers na maisama ang sports sa naturang collegiate league.
“We’re very much open. In fact, from the league standpoint, it’s actually relatively easier,” ani league executive director Atty. Rebo Saguisag sa UAAP Talk. “Kasi, of course, there will be expenses, it will entail organization, but from our point of view, madali ‘yan.”
Ngunit sinabi rin ni Saguisag na nasa UAAP member-schools na ang pagpapasya hinggil dito dahil sila ang nagbibigay ng scholarship sa student-athletes.
“Yung challenge is actually for the member-schools now. Kasi sila yung mago-open up again ng new team, and to maintain those teams,” dagdag niya.
“Kasi kami, event lang naman eh. Ang UAAP just needs to organize these events, but for the schools, for the member-schools, it will mean new uniforms, scholarships, coaching,” paliwanag ni Saguisag.
Sa social media post ng 30-anyos na si Diaz, silver medalist din sa 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, ikinatwiran niya na individual sports naman ang weightlifting.
“Need lang po dalawang coaches para sa babae at lalake tapos may 10 category sa men and women. 22 lahat-lahat kung ang plano ay maging champion sa UAAP weightlifting. Pero siyempre kung magsisimula pa lang magaling na coach ang kailangan, may good character, may pasensya at pagmamahal sa sports.”
Naniniwala naman si Saguisag na dapat isaalang-alang ang panawagan ng apat na Olympics medalists.
“These two sports are worth revisiting, and at least siguro ‘yung Olympic events should really have a place in the UAAP because nga ang isang principle namin is really to support the national sports program. So we’re definitely very much open to that, and again thank you for our athletes, our Olympians,” wika pa ng collegiate league official.
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