Muay Thai Association of the Philippines-Visayas head Master Benigno “Ekin” R. Caniga Jr. is confident of his team’s chances in the upcoming National Muay Thai Championships, which will start on Thursday at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City, Metro Manila.
Caniga said the 13 Cebuano kickboxers are among the best he has, some having had a successful campaign in the Batang Pinoy National Finals last month in Baguio City.
“They have been training non-stop after Batang Pinoy. We are sending our promising fighters, and I believe that we can do well against other top kickboxers in the country,” said Caniga.
The upcoming national tournament that features the country’s brightest Muay Thai amateur fighters will be a crucial campaign for the Cebuano delegation, considering that this will be a qualifier for the official roster of the Philippine national team that will represent the country in various international tournaments, including the coveted 2019 Southeast Asian Games that will be hosted by the Philippines.
The Cebuano front will be headed by Master Ekin’s nephew and Batang Pinoy double-gold medalist Andrie Caniga and mixed martial arts veteran Roel Rosauro.
The rest of the Cebu bets are Uchenna Onunkuso, Augustine Antiporta, Allan Albindo, Amocesar Petallana, Jhon Simbahon, Buel Algono, Rey Velasco, Reymond Berandoy, Radel Dela Cerna, Mark Alforque and Ulysses Martinez.
The team will leave for Manila on Thursday.
Caniga said he is more inspired to strengthen the grassroots program of Muay Thai in Cebu after the International Olympic Committee announced that they are giving the sport a provisional recognition as an Olympic sport.
With this, Muay Thai organizations worldwide will now be able to tap into some IOC funding and take part in a number of programs including athletes’ development. At the end of their three-year provisional recognition period, they can apply to become part of the Olympics.