THOUGH it welcomes the holding of another weightlifting tournament in Cebu, the Cebu Weightlifting Association (CWA) is clarifying that it is not involved in the 2018 National Open 6-in-1 Weightlifting Championships being held at SM Seaside City.
CWA president Felix Tiukinhoy issued the clarification after social media posts surfaced of how some athletes are complaining about being billeted like “refugees” in the Sawang Calero gym.
“We always welcome another weightlifting tournament because it is for the good of the sport. Dili man ni exclusive ato,” said Tiukinhoy, who is also the commissioner of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. “However, ato ra i-klaro nga wala mi labot ana kay daghan nag-reklamo. Basi ‘ma-guilty by geography mi.’” The ongoing tournament is organized by the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas, a new group that seeks to supplant the Philippine Weightlifting Association.
Tiukinhoy said he was forced to issue the clarification since the CWA has also organized and will continue to organize national tournaments with support from corporate backers, some of whom have asked him if CWA is involved in the ongoing event.
“We have sponsors and friends who support, believe our cause and also help us out silently. If makita nila ang posts, magtuo sila nga that is how we treat our guests. Basi dili na sila musupport namo,” he said. “We will also be sending invitations to weightlifters all over the country and basi dili na sila mubalik sa Cebu because of this experience.” CWA recently staged the National Students Weightlifting Championships where they sent the champions to an international tournament.
“We wish the organizers all the best in their event and we hope it will be successful and that the concerns raised will be addressed.” (PR)