PADEL PILIPINAS KINILALA NG POC

KINILALA ng Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) ang Padel Pilipinas bilang official padel federation ng bansa.

“We are happy to receive the trust and support of the POC, the governing body of all National Sports Associations (NSAs) in the Philippines,” wika ni Padel Pilipinas secretary-general Duane Santos sa isang press statement noong Martes.

“Under Senator Pia Cayetano’s leadership and our team of Filipino coaches, we are committed to prioritizing a grassroots padel program in the country. We will continue to bring the sport closer to more Filipinos,” dagdag ni Duane, na isang national champion tulad ng kanyang kapatid na si Derrick.

Ikinatuwa ni Cayetano, kilalang tagapagtaguyod ng sports, ang pagkilala ng POC.

“I’ve always been a believer that sports is the great equalizer. Through sports, deserving kids can get a good education through scholarships. They get to meet, train with and compete against equally determined and talented individuals outside of their schools and hometowns. Sometimes they’ll win, sometimes they’ll lose. But as long as they get up, they’ll keep getting better. This builds character. It’s part of nation building,” aniya.

Si Cayetano ay dating University of the Philippines volleyball player. Naging miyembro rin siya ng national team.

Samantala, sa kanyang liham sa International Padel Federation, sinabi ni POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino na, “Padel Pilipinas has been actively conducting clinics and trainings all over the country.”

Ang Padel Pilipinas ay nakikipagtambalan sa local governments upang isulong ang sport.

“We have been to places like Tarlac, Pampanga, Laguna and Batangas. Just this month, we were in Bataan and Aurora,” sabi ni coach Bryan Casao, na pinangungunahan ang training ng padel beginners sa bansa.

Sa pagdaraos ng clinics sa buong bansa, umaasa ang Padel Pilipinas na makakita ng potential talents na maaaring katawanin ang bansa sa international tournaments.

Ang Padel sport ay kumbinasyon ng squash at tennis. Kadalasan itong nilalaro sa doubles sa isang enclosed court.                              

CLYDE MARIANO