Zubiri to quit Pekaf if arnis fails in SEAG

THE man who unified the various factions and disciplins in arnis in the Philippines, Sen. Miguel Zubiri, has issued a challenge to the more than 40 clubs who are now members of the new Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (Pekaf), he will resign from his post if the country fails to win the overall tally in arnis in the Southeast Asian Games next year.

Zubiri, who was elected head when Pekaf was formed during an arnis congress over 18 months ago, said the Philippines is aiming to win the overall medal when it will host the 2019 SEA Games and the Philippine Olympic Committee is looking at arnis to produce.

“There are going to be 20 events in arnis for the SEA Games and we promised to win at least 15 gold medals,” said Zubiri, who was presiding over Pekaf’s board meeting at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino yesterday.

And after taking a quick glance at the Pekaf members of the board, he reiterated his promise, “That’s why they have to help me, because I will resign from my post if we don’t win it.”

In preparation for the 2019 Sea Games, Pekaf made their moves as early as 2016, holding regional championships in the Visayas, Mindanao, Luzon and National Capital Region before letting the champions face each other to filter out the best of the Philippines.

“We are going to do this every year,” he said and added that the participants didn’t spend a centavo for their participation in the national tournament as Pekaf paid for their tickets and accommodation.

The tournament is just one of Pekaf’s major changes as it leads the push to make the sport a regular event in the SEA Games.

Pekaf also plans to house the national team for an altitude-training in Baguio City next year and is eyeing an Asian Championships either in Cebu or in Manila.