The University of the Philippines Mindanao has partnered with Kapatirang Doble Olisi Escrima (KDOE) to establish a sports academy.
Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Annabelle Novero, on behalf of Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Grand Master (GM) Mario Palazuelo of the KDOE for the arnis sports academy in the UP Mindanao Main Library on September 23, 2022.
The sports academy training sessions will be conducted from October 01 to December 17, 2022, every Saturday from 8 AM to 11 AM at the UP Mindanao Atrium with GM Mario as the head trainer.
The sports academy would also provide valuable insight on how to sustain and develop the Davao City-UP Sports Complex located on the campus.
The MOU-signing ceremony is the culmination of the two-day workshop on the upcoming Master of Science in Human Movement Science (MSHMS) and the proposed College of Human Kinetics.
“It’s very exciting that we will have a sports academy in arnis because we envision a College of Human Kinetics that will grow together with the Sports Complex,” Prof. Novero said.
“I practiced many martial arts,” said GM Palazuelo, “but I decided to focus on arnis because it is our Filipino martial art and it is now the national martial art through Republic Act 9850.”
The MOU outlines the implementation of an arnis program for the grassroots, including technical assistance and staffing.
The general role of KDOE is to provide trainers and coaches for the arnis sports academy, while UPMin will provide the venue and assistance.
The sports academy is in line with UP Mindanao’s strategic plan for its Mindanao Sports Development Initiative to integrate multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary programs in various fields of knowledge.
Registrations are ongoing until October 03, 2022. Interested individuals of all ages are encouraged to participate.
