Press Release
December 8, 2019

Zubiri: Filipino Arnisadores set to enhance competitive edge

Coming together as a national team took a lot of effort, resources and motivation from all Filipino arnisadores. Our underlying strength comes from a deep history kept alive by our present day Grandmasters. The present crop of Arnis athletes and coaches drew a lot from the legacy of all Arnis styles from all parts of the country.

In 2009, it was declared the national martial art and sport (R.A. 9850). In 2017, we organized the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation, which eventually won the nod of the Philippine Olympics Committee as the National Sports Association (NSA) for Arnis. After a year, we launched a search for the finest & fittest through regional qualifiers that concluded with the National Battle of the Champions. Promoting grass roots development our participation of the PSCs Batang Pinoy, Philippine National Games, as well as the Palarong Pambansa.

We also worked with the standards set by an International Governing Body for Arnis, the WEKAF ( World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation). With the passage of the law and the organization of PEKAF, Arnis will be a true grassroots martial art & sport.

We campaigned for the PSC & POC to include Arnis as a competition sports. Then, the selection of competitors for the SEA Games commenced with a Team A and Team B both well prepared to fight for medals. We did our best with 14 golds, 4 silvers and 2 Bronze medals to show for it. Being the most be medaled sport of this 30th SEA Games for the Philippines.

Post-SEA Games, we will spearhead the promotion of Arnis in more countries with upcoming international matches to further strengthen our athletes' competitive edge.

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