AIBA Women’s World Boxing 2019 champion Nesthy Alcayde Petecio and World Sambo Championships 2020 women’s bronze medalist Sydney Sy Tancontian opposed the proposed House Bill 1526 that seeks to ban minors from competing in full-contact sports.
Petecio, who learned the ropes of boxing from her father Teodoro at age 11, said that although she understands where bill authors Ako Bicol party-list representatives Alfredo Garbin Jr. and Elizaldy Go are coming from, she does not agree with them.
The 27-year-old Petecio said all athletes, like boxers, have to undergo medical tests before they are allowed to compete. She also said that accidents happen not just in sports but also in real life.
“Kapag ginawa po nila yan, pano na lang po yung next generation po sa larangan ng sports. Dyan din po ako nagsimula sa sport na pinili ko at ang tagal po ng process bago naabot yung narating ko ngayon. Ang hirap po mag develop ng atleta. Di naman po lahat ng athlete may talent na talaga, yung iba matagal pa makita yun,” she said, adding that even those who are talented don’t succeed so easily.
She wonders what would become of sports in the country should the bill become a law.
Tancontian, a 20-year-old judo varsity scholar at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), said, “I strongly oppose the proposed House bill because as a product of grassroots program myself, malaki ang impact sa childhood development ko. It greatly contributed to who I am today.”
She started playing judo at seven with her father Paolo, also a bemedaled judoka as her trainer and coach. Tancontian, who already has five sambo World bronzes to her name, also said the sport has molded her foundation and character as an athlete and as a person.
Passing the law, she said, would deny young student-athletes to also showcase their talents.
Paolo, for his part, said martial arts is a complete workout as it builds one’s stamina, strength, and flexibility. Kids also develop eye-body coordination and balanced health and lifestyle. that young athletes can bring into adulthood.
He said sambo martial arts has so many benefits for anybody to enjoy. “Training will not only help you become or stay physically fit, It will also help our kids na maging mentally strong. You'll improve your reaction time and decision making skills na magagamit ng mga bata sa kanilang daily life,” he said.
His children Sydney and Chino both have benefited from learning sports at a young age as both are enjoying university scholarships.
Sydney was also a bronze medalist in women’s kurash while Chino bagged a gold in men’s sambo of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines.
Ateneo de Davao University sports director Noli Ayo said the bill proponents lacked the prudence to research nor consult with experts in sports science and even with heads of different sports associations involved in contact sports
“There is a big disconnect towards the big picture, to what is really happening in those concerned sports and to what they are stating in the bill. I respect the desire towards safety but the bill seems to lack the knowledge and empathy of the authors towards sports,” Ayo commented.
Association of the Advancement of Karatedo (AAK) Davao head Rommel Tan said grassroots sports will be affected once the bill is enacted into law.
He said, “Martial arts contributed many medals especially in the last SEA Games. We cannot start training our future athletes at the age of 18... na ulo niyan, just kidding. Grassroots program is the key, start them young. May mga rules and precautionary measures naman ang each NSA to protect the minor athletes.”
Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do instructor Angela Grandeza also strongly disagrees with the bill.
“As young as the kids can learn, the better they can develop not just skills but the values instilled in them as they grow older. Martial arts is not merely kicking, punching, and defending oneself from an attacker. It is also being humble in confidence, discipline at all times and excellence in everything that we do every day. It is a way of life. Every child has the right to learn. So, why deprive them?” she said.