The Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas (SKP) [Kickboxing Association of the Philippines] is slated to join the 2021 Vietnam Southeast Asian Games this coming November and the 6th Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games which will be held in Thailand in 2022.
In anticipation of these events, Filipino kickboxers are now in Baguio City for their individual training despite the absence of a go-signal for face-to-face training.
In an interview of PTV Sports, SKP Secretary-General Attorney Wharton Chan said that coaches are continuously overseeing the individual training of the national kickboxers.
“Everybody is doing their respective duties as a national athlete. Nagse-send naman sila everyday ng kanilang updates (They send their updates everyday), their videos of their trainings, and ang (the) guidance ng kanilang (of their) coaches. So, together with Coach Mark (Sangiao) and the other coaches. Ganoon pa rin, continuously lahat in perfect form (It’s done the same way continuously in perfect form),” Atty. Wharton Chan shared.
The SKP secretary general also expressed hopes that the pandemic ends soon so the athletes could properly train and clinch the gold for this year and the next year. He also expressed relief that none of the coaches and athletes got COVID-19 due to their strict adherence to the protocols.
“Of course, ‘yong continuous guidance po natin and ‘yong prohibition natin from getting too much exposure sa labas ng kani-kanilang mga residences. Medyo strikto po tayo diyan. Lagi po natin silang binibigyan ng mga pangaral and warnings when they’re trying to go outside…. So, ang sa atin lang po, iniiwasan lang po natin sila na magkaroon po ng exposure with other individuals (Of course, we give continuous guidance and there is the prohibition from getting too much exposure outside their residence. We are quite strict about that. We also lecture them and give warnings when they’re trying to go outside… For us, we want to avoid their exposure to other individuals),” Atty. Chan continued.
When the country’s quarantine protocols ease off, the SKP aims to organize a bubble tournament by June. – Report from Paolo Salamatin/PTV Sports/jbb
