After years of living in the “Land of the Rising Sun” Japan, Godofredo “Freddie” Jalasco, Jr. returns to the country and making a comeback to sports as the newly elected president of the Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP).
Jalasco, who was elected as first non-Chinese speaking president of the federation in June this year, may be not new to the leadership role as he once helmed the Basketball Association of the Philippines, which was the predecessor of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Jalasco already assured the full support of the board of trustees and the whole Wushu community.
“As i said, during the election, and i got elected, sabi ko we have to continue to enhance the level of competition nung ating mga atleta because yun ang kailangan natin dahil medyo mabigat yung ating mga nakaraang presidente, puro gold yan, puro medal ang pinoproduce nila tapos kailangang i-maintain natin yan at i-taas pa natin ang level ng competitions, because one of the goals also nung ating association is to help wushu maging regular na as a Olympic sport.”, Jalasco said in the weekly TOPS Usapang Sports on Air Forum recently.
He bared that the Wushu national athletes, especially in the Taolu (Forms) discipline led by SEA Games double gold medalist Agatha Wong will set to commence their face-to-face training anytime this week in a rented gym owned by a member of the board of trustees. While the formal training has yet to be started, the athletes, including from Sanda (Sparring) were continously doing their online training at their homes under the supervision of the Technical Committee.
Jalasco added that they will set to meet with PSC Commissioner Ramon Fernandez this August to discuss the possible return of their F2F training to its own gym in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Lastly, he also putting up plans for the grassroots program of the Chinese sport once the ongoing pandemic ends.
“Regarding dun sa grassroots development program, most especially sa schools. Kasi if i not mistaken, during the time of Secretary Raul Roco as Department of Education secretary, nagbigay kami ng proposal noon to include wushu sa mga schools or P.E. program, although right now, irerevive ulit namin yun, kasi inidentify nga namin most especially ongoing pa rin ang (grassroots) dun sa mga 3 Chinese schools including Chiang Kai Shek, sabi nila sa akin, sabi ko, irevive natin yun for the grassroots development program, hopefully, mai-implement namin yan sa lalong madaling panahon.”, Jalasco ended.
