MAYOR Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has formally recognized on Friday, January 3, three Zamboangueño athletes who won medals in various international sports competitions, as members of the Philippine team.
Recognized were Sharieff Afif, Noel Damian, and Edwin Giron.
Afif captured the gold medal (Kumite-Men’s Team) in the Turkish Open Grandprix Championship 2019 held from September 27 to 29, 2019.
He also won bronze medalist during the recently concluded 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games. His coach is Otto Antao, Sr.
Damian is a tennis gold medalist during the 30th SEA Games. His coach is Albert Villanueva.
Damian is also the bronze medalist during the Korean Cup International Doft Tennis Tournament held in Anseong, Korea from July 8 to 15, 2019 and bronze medalist during the Taiwan Fonglin Cup Soft Tennis Tournament held in Fonglin, Taiwan from September 18 to 24, 2019.
Giron is a bronze medalist during the 26th HCMC International Track and Field-Vietnam Open 2019 held from July 17 to 19 at HCMC, Vietnam. He is coached by Jesus Tubog.
Salazar praised and thanked the athletes for bringing honor and fame not only to Zamboanga City but to the entire country as well.
Dr. Cecil Atilano, City Sports director, facilitated the athletes’ courtesy visit to Salazar’s office.
Atilano’s office is also facilitating the grant of cash incentives to the medalists. (SunStar Zamboanga)