THE Quezon City fencing program gained added traction for producing one of the Filipino athletes set to compete in the coming Paris Olympics.
Quezon City 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos `Arjo’ Atayde pledged to back the QCSEP, stressing the support for such programs is necessary to help Filipino athletes achieve their dreams of competing in the Olympics.
“Fencing is one of the many sports that young Filipino athletes can excel in, and we are working with Councilor Joseph Juico so that we can help QCSEP better develop Filipino fencers who can compete not only in local tournaments, but also in international competitions,” said Atayde, a member of the Youth Sports Development Committee in the House of Representatives.
Atayde met Juico, the young members of the QCSEP, and their parents last week at the legislator's district office in West Avenue, Quezon City to discuss ways to help and develop fencers not only from their district, but also cities from all over Metro Manila.
“It’s great to know that there’s a grassroots sports program for fencing in Quezon City that develops and nurtures kids from all over Metro Manila. With enough helping hands, QCSEP can produce fencers who can excel in the sport and one day win a medal for our country in the Olympics," said Atayde, who extended financial support for the team's ongoing programs.
Atayde commended QCSEP for producing Samantha Kyle Catantan, the 22-year-old resident of Barangay Del Monte, who just last month punched a ticket to the Paris Olympics, becoming the first Filipino fencer to qualify in the quadrennial showcase in 32 years.
Catantan qualified for the Paris Olympics after winning the gold in the women’s foil event at the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier in the United Arab Emirates. She is the first Filipino fencer to qualify for the summer games since Walter Torres in 1988.
“QCSEP deserves credit for developing world-class fencers like our very own Samantha Catantan," said Atayde. "Her qualifying for the Olympics is proof that we should invest time and resources in fencing, which is why we plan to provide support for this sport in our district, and later on the entire Quezon City.”
QCSEP Fencing is a program spearheaded by Juico, the longtime QC 1st District councilor and son of former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Philip Ella Juico. It was established 18 years ago and is an active advocate of grassroots sports development.
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