About 150 taekwondo enthusiasts from the Central Luzon region flocked to this free port recently in a bid to conquer titles in the 2nd Chairman’s Cup Invitational Taekwondo Tournament, an annual event sanctioned by the Philippine Taekwondo Association (PTA).
After the whole-day competition held at the Subic Gymnasium here, Subic-based Philko Taekwondo Training Center was declared champion after garnering 287 total group points. The team successfully defended their 2008 title against three other teams.
Philko was way ahead second placer Korean Grace Taekwondo, a team from Angeles City in Pampanga, which accumulated a total of 58 points, while the Subic-based Mondriaan Aura College Taekwondo Jins trailed with 50 points, and Precious Child Montessori of Zambales with 27 points.
The winners received trophies and certificates of recognition in group and individual categories.
The 2nd Chairman’s Cup Invitational Tournament was organized by Mondriaan Aura College, in partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and Hallelujah Taekwondo Ministry (HTM), a full-gospel group from South Korea that reaches out to the youth through sports.
In the event’s opening ceremony, SBMA Chairman Feliciano Salonga assured the various taekwondo associations gathered for the tournament that SBMA will continue to put prime importance to sports and youth development, in line with its sports tourism thrust.
“The SBMA will continue to provide avenues for sports where local athletes can hone their skills” said Salonga, citing this free port’s sports-conducive environment and modern sports facilities.
Salonga also lauded the efforts of Aura College and HTM for finding a way to strengthen Filipino-Korean ties, and promoting youth welfare through sports.
Rev. Lee Joo Hyung, who headed the Korean delegation of about 15 athletes, said that by donating taekwondo gears and equipment to Aura College, which is propagating the sport locally, the HTM “is merely sharing the blessings that we have.”
Lee said the HTM, which was organized in Korea in 1988, has been conducting similar tournaments in Manila for the past eight years.
He said they decided to bring taekwondo competitions to Subic since an HTM missions base was nearby, and because the Subic Bay Freeport has available facilities.
Meanwhile, Aura College president Edgar Geniza described the event as “a celebration of two cultures glorifying one God through sports.”
“This tournament will go on as long as friendship between the Philippines and Korea continues,” said Geniza. (SBMA Corporate Communications)
PHOTO: TAEKWONDO KIDS: Participants in the 2nd Chairman’s Cup Invitational Taekwondo Tournament held at the Subic Bay Freeport await instructions prior to group and individual competitions.
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