Ice Skating, may tsansa ang Pinoy

PAKITANG gilas ang mga natatanging Pinoy ice skaters sa gaganaping Philippine Open Short Track Championships ngayon sa SM Megamall Ice Skating Rink sa Mandaluyong City.

Ayon kay Philippine Skating Union vice president Josie Veguillas, ang torneo ay gagamitin para sa pagpili ng national team na ihahanda sa iba’t ibang torneo sa abroad, gayundin sa South East Asian Games sa susunod na taon sa bansa.

“This is the first National Championships to be held for short track speed skating in the Philippines. The tournament is also one of the deciding factors as to who will represent the country in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) next year,” pahayag ni Veguillas said in an interview on Tuesday.

Sinabi ni Christopher Martin, Sports Director of the Philippine Skating Union, na nagsagawa muna ng Training Camp para sa mga skaters sa pangangasiwa nina international coaches Kelvin Nicholle ng New Zealand at Maggie Holland ng Australia.

“The Philippine Short Track Training Camp is the first of its kind in the Philippines and provides Philippine and Southeast Asian short track speed skaters the opportunity to enhance their skills and speed on the ice,” pahayag ni Martin.

Kabilang sa tinututukan ng PSU sina Marc Gonzales, Julian Macaraeg, Kevin Villanueva, Anna Cruz, Molly Martinez at Kayla Gonzales.

Si Villanueva ay sinasanay ni 2017 SEAG veteran Kathryn Magno.

“I am looking forward to a successful campaign in a challenging competition,” pahayag ng 20-anyos na si Villanueva, isang guro mula sa Sto Nino School of Muntinlupa City.

Sumabak sa Southeast Asia Speed Skating Trophy sa Singapore si Villanueva kung saan tumapos siyang ikalima sa 11 skaters.

“They (Filipinos) have a lot of potential. Given the proper training, they can excel,” pahayag ng 28-anyos na si Magno, nagwagi ng ginto sa (500-m, 1,00m and 1,500m) sa South East Asia Cup sa Singapore noong 2017.

Umaasa si Martin na sa bukod sa tulong ng mga magulang at pribadong sektor, mabibigyan ng ayuda ang mga atleta sa ice skating ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

“We’re closely coordinating with the PSC. Mahal ang sports na ito kaya need talaga ng mga atleta ang suporta ng pamahalaan,’ sambit ni Martin.

IBINIDA nina (mula sa kaliwa) coaches Kelvin Nicholle ng New Zealand, Maggie Holland ng Australia, PSU VP Josie Veguillas at Pico Martin ang gaganaping Ice Skating competition.