Wekaf chairman emeritus and Supreme Grand Master Dionisio Cañete (2nd from right, standing) leads the launching of the 14th Wekaf World Championships scheduled on July 22-24. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
Filipino stick-fighters try to defend their home turf as they go up against some of the world’s best arnisadors in the 14th World Esrima-Kali-Arnis Federation (Wekaf) World Championships slated July 22 to 24.
The three-day competition will give Cebuanos a huge treat as 33 countries have already signified their intentions to compete.
Organizers have yet to finalize where to hold the tournament that will feature 105 events. The country will be represented by winners from qualifying tournaments held nationwide.
“We are looking to hold the competitions in three separate venues. J-Centre Mall in Mandaue City has already agreed in principle. We are also looking at SM Seaside City and Robinsons Galleria Cebu as possible venues,” Dionisio Cañete, Chairman Emeritus of Wekaf, said in the tournament’s press launching yesterday.
Officials of various Wekaf-affiliated groups also attended attended the launching.
Cañete said the city government of Lapu-Lapu was willing to host the event with the Hoops Dome as the venue but organizers had to consider other options because of the traffic situation in the city.
The 12th edition of the biennial meet was held at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue and Filipino martial artists didn’t disappoint as they came away with the overall championship with a haul of 62 gold medals, 36 silvers and 36 bronzes.
Hungary hosted the 13th edition won by the United States.
“It was a resounding success when we hosted the tournament in 2012. We want to equal or surpass the feat as we are looking to make the 14th World Championships to be the biggest ever,” said Cañete.
Ernest Evangelista, Wekaf consultant, said the upcoming tournament will give the sport much-needed international exposure.
“This is part of our program to expose the sport to international community as our goal is to include this in Olympic sports events,” Evangelista said.
Cañete said they are hoping that bringing the tournament back to the country will help educate Filipinos about the sport and attract young people to become practitioners of this homegrown martial art.
“The sad state is that some Filipinos don’t know the sport but eskrima is well-respected in the United States and in Europe,” said Cañete.
Teachers and officials of the Department of Education will also be invited to grace the tournament.
“We want them to watch the games because of the plans to include arnis in the Physical education curriculum,” said Boy Andoy of the event’s organizing committee.
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