Mahigit 200 archers mula sa buong mundo ang nakatakdang lumahok sa pagbubukas ng 1st Asean Youth Archery Championships ngayong Huwebes, Agosot 17, sa Dynamic Herb Sports Complex sa Cebu City.
Mainit ang naging pagsalubong ng World Archery Philippines sa mga kalahok mula sa Chinese-Taipei, Iran, India, Singapore, Thailand at Philippines na tatayong host sa three-day age group tournament na suportado ng Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Cebu City Government at Cebu City Sports Commission.
Itinuturing na world powerhouse, ang Taiwanese ang may pinakamalaking contingent na may limang koponan, ayon kay WAP secretary general Dondon Sombrio.
“We are focusing on Olympic recurve and compound target archery,” saad ni Sombrio. “There will be competition in the Under-10, Under-15, Under-18 and Under-21 age groups in both boys and girls divisions.”
“This tournament fills a gap for much needed foreign exposure not only for our young archers but also for others in the region,” paliwanag ni national youth coach Nino Sinco.
“The only major international youth events we have are the biannual World Archery Youth Championships and the Youth Olympic Games,” dagdag ni Sinco.
Sinabi ni Sinco na ang mga miyembro ng national youth team na sumabak sa World Youth Competition sa Limerick, Ireland noong Hulyo ay maglalaban-laban sa ilalim ng kani-kanilang club.