BAGUIO CITY – With the Philippine Sports Commission – Philippine Olympic Committee sponsored Philippine National Games (PNG) finally pushing through, the Baguio Judokas hiked their training in hopes of earning medals for the city.
With much esteem and excitement Judo representatives for Baguio City are now is deep preparation for the said National Games after the long wait. The long wait for the event since the conduct of the selection of players to the PNG by the Cordillera Judo Association held last October 2017, however, may be a plus factor in the games as they have practiced for a longer period.
It will be recalled that the PNG staging suffered postponements from December 2017 to April 2018 before finally being set on May 19-25, 2018, with Cebu City and the Province of Cebu hosting the said event.
Meanwhile, participants are yet to undergo a refreshers course on the new rules and regulations ratified by the International Judo Federation that will be implemented in the upcoming PNG Judo event.
The Baguio City Judo delegation will be fielding more or less thirty six players to fill up fourteen weight categories per division for the Juniors Division under 21 years old (Men & Women), and Seniors Division 16 years old and above (Men & Women), and four weight categories for the team competition for Men & Women.
On the other hand, events and competitions for thirty two events in the 2018 PNG will be conducted in the PSC-POC given schedules; May 18, 2018-Refreshers course for all LGU coaches, trainers and officials, May 19, 2018- solidarity meeting for LGU delegation heads, coaches, team managers and PSC officials.
Competition dates for sports events are as follows; May 19, 2018 – Athletics and Tennis, May 20, 2018 – Archery, Badminton, Chess, Cycling (Mt. Bike, Itt, Road Race, & Criterium), Sepak Takraw, Soft Ball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Volley Ball (Beach Volleyball & Indoor Volley ball), weight lifting.
May 21, 2018 – Judo, May 22, 2018- Karate Do, May 23, 2018- Taekwondo, Triathlon, May 25, 2018- Dance Sport, and duathlon. All games will be conducted in Cebu City and Davao City except for Gymnastics and Football which was scheduled May 12-16, 2018 in Manila.
By: BOBBY VINLUAN