“The only chance for us now to get the elusive Olympic medals is through surfing. Filipino surfers have long been winning gold and silver medals in various international surfing competitions.”
This was the statement made by Rep. Francisco Jose “Bingo” Matugas of Surigao del Norte 1st District as he presided over the preparatory meeting of surfers in Siargao Island on Friday.
He said the quest for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold has already commenced as the meeting, joined by the members of Siargao International Surfers Association (SISA), kicked off to plan out programs that will prepare the surfers in the international sporting event.
“We gathered positive results from the meeting particularly in drawing our plans and programs that will hone the skills and abilities of our surfers,” he added.
The meeting also finalized the planned linkage of Siargao surfers to the various surfers’ associations in the country and its participation to the formation of the Philippine Surfers Federation (PSF).
PSF will be composed of surfers from the areas of Surigao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Palawan, Bicol, Catanduanes, Zambales, La Union, Samar, Leyte, Ilocos Sur, Sorsogon and the members of Manila Surfers Club.
“In forming one organization, selection of the best surfers in the country to compete in the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be easy. Selected surfers will compose the Philippine Surfing Team that will compete in the Olympics,” Matugas said.
The formation of surfing team, he emphasized, will also pave the way to source out funds for the training of surfers in preparation to the said international sports event, specifically from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
Congressman Matugas also expressed optimism the country will bag its first Olympic gold through surfing, given that most of the professional surfers in the country had already competed in various international competitions.
In September this year, Filipino surfers Competed with hundreds of international surfers during the 22nd Siargao International Surfing Cup held in Cloud 9, General Luna town.
Sandon Whittaker of Australia emerged as the over-all winner during the cup garnering 12.83 points and followed by Filipino Philmar Alipayo with 11.20 points.
