THE PHILIPPINE Eskrima Kali-Arnis Federation (Pekaf) hopes to find a potential stick fighters when they play host to its first qualifier for the 16th World Eskrima Kali-Arnis Federation (Wekaf) World Championships this Saturday at SM Seaside Mountain Wing Atrium.
Pekaf Board of Trustees member Gerald Cañete told Cebu Daily News that the two-day event will just be one of the many qualifiers for the 16th Wekaf World Championships, which will be held in Hawaii next year. They are currently listening to other local government units around the country who have expressed their interest in hosting a qualifying event.
Cañete estimated that close to 200 participants, mostly from cities like Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and municipalities from the province, are set to join the first qualifying event.
“Right now it’s too early to say [who makes it to the World Championships] since there will be more qualifiers to come so the more times a fighter wins these events, most likely they will be the ones to compete in the National and then Hawaii,” said Cañete when asked if the top performers of this weekend’s qualifiers will be assured to compete in the world championships.