By Anthony Giron
TAGAYTAY CITY – The country’s first kickboxing gym has been inaugurated here, reinforcing the city’s status as a sports training hub.
The 150-square meter gym is located at the top level floor of a fast food chain building near the Ninoy Aquino rotunda in Aguinaldo Highway. It will house the office of the Samahang Kickboxing sa Pilipinas (SKP) and features a kickboxing ring, punching bags, speed balls and other equipment.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman Rep. Abraham Tolentino led sports officials and other guests during the gym’s opening which comes just month after SKP’s recognition by the POC.
Kickboxing is one of the sports to be played in the Southeast Asian Games that will be hosted by the country late this year, according to SKP secretary-general Wharton Chan.
Tolentino, who is also deeply involved in the SEAG organization, said Tagaytay is one of the venues of the Games.
“We are preparing for the SEA Games this early as this is the biggest sports event in the region. At least 10,000 athletes from the member-countries will be competing for various events. The region’s best athletes will be competing here (the country),” Tolentino said.
Chan said that there are about 500 kick boxers belonging to 20 groups in the country.
Chan said that the gym will be used for the selection of the Filipino best kickboxers who will vie for slots in the SEA Games.
