It’s all system go for the country’s hosting of the region’s biggest shooting competitions – the 46th Southeast Asian Shooting Association (SEASA) Championships – slated from November 25 to December 13 in four different venues in Manila and Batangas.
Philippine National Shooting Association (PNSA) Secretary General Iryne Garcia said they leave no stone unturned regarding preparation to ensure the hosting is successful and unforgettable for all participants and guests.
“It’s a work in progress. Renovation and some facelift on the venues is ongoing and expected to finish the job in time for the competition,” said Garcia during the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, inc. (TOPS) ‘Usapang Sports’ on Thursday at the PSC Conference Room in Malate, Manila.
The events will be held in four venues: the PNSA Shooting Range in Muntinlupa City, the Marines Shooting Range in Taguig City, the Magnus Range, and the Target Clay Shooting Range in Lipa, Batangas.
“We expected many shooters from nine member countries and several invited nations such as Japan, China, the US, and Australia. Invitations have already been sent and we are just waiting for the official confirmation,” added Garcia.
“We will use the SEASA event as our National Open Championships, so we expected our competitive local shooters aside from members of the National team to participate and test their skills against some of the best in the region plus other countries like Japan, USA, China, and Australia,” Garcia added.
Garcia said that due to equipment delay in the importation, the Rifle event will be held in Taiwan, instead..
“Hindi na aabot yung kailangang equipment. Pumayag naman ang Taiwan, so wala na tayong problema,” said Garcia.
Joining Garcia in the session backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine and Pocari Sweat were shooters Cathy Levanza (clay target), 2019 SEA Games gold medalist (team pistol) Elvie Baldivino, rifle coach Julius Valdez, and American coach (pistol) Nurmyrat Hanov.
“Pantay pantay lang kaming lahat sa training, yung advantage ko lang bilang member ng Philippine Navy yung discipline sa physical training, pagkain at walang puyatan,’ said the 28-year-old Baldivino who teamed-up with Franchette Quiroz and Marly Martir in winning the women’s WA 1500 Precision Pistol Course team event in 2019 Manila SEAG edition.
For her part, Levanza, younger sister of former World Shoot Champion Valerie, said she hope that the tournament will create excitement and interest in young Filipinos as PNSA needs more young shooters for the team.
“Medyo magastos po talaga ang sports ng shooting, pero kung makitaan naman po ninyo ng interest ang mga anak ninyo o kapamilya, suportahan po ninyo. Malaki po ang tsansa nating Pinoy sa sports na ito,” stressed Levanza.
Both coach Valdez and Murad expressed confidence that the Filipino shooters would do well in the competition.
“Preparation is in place. We’ve been doing elimination tournaments since January to select the best athletes for SEASA,” said Murad who singled out Franchette Quiroz to rise for the country during the meet.
“She almost made it to the Paris Olympics. But this coming to SEASA expect her to wow the crowd,” he added.
Garcia also expressed her gratitude to the Philippine Sports Commission, the MVP Sports Foundation, and Ayala Sports for supporting the Philippine shooting team.
