Baguio archer receives new gear

HER winning chances just got better as Kareel Meer Hongitan has received sponsorship for her stint in the 2014 Seoul International Sports Festa scheduled August 3-9 in South Korea.

Benel Archery, the local coordinators for the event, just handed a new set of shooting equipment to the 16-year-old that may help her Korean campaign.

“We are very thankful to the sponsors of this tournament. Actually their generosity surprised us very well, more than that Kareel is more motivated and passionate in improving in this sport,” said coach and father John Hongitan.

Win&Win Archery, the official sponsor for the event, supplied the young Hongitan including her teammates with a complete set of equipment worth more than P50,000.

“This is really a big turnaround in helping our competitors excel and hopefully stand under the limelight after the competition,” the coach said.

“In archery, there should always be a 50-50 weight in order to really excel in every competition. The first half will rely on the ability and condition of the archer, the other half will be on the equipment used,” Hongitan added.

The young Hongitan, who is now playing for the University of Baguio Cardinals, will be joining seven other athletes from the national pool and competes with other international teams during the week-long contest.

She is currently the number two ranked female cadets division archer in the country, after the PANNA National Ranking and Evaluation Competitions held earlier in April.

Meanwhile, another city-based archer, Tricia Bomogao waived her spot in the team after failing to submit necessary requirements before the scheduled deadline.

Bomogao, playing for the Saint Louis University, was ranked number four in the same female cadet division.

Together with Hongitan, the Philippine women’s team who will compete against other international entries are top ranked Marie Crisha Merto from Dumaguete City, Manila-based archer Bianca Gotauco, and Mary Ibañez from San Fernando, La Union.

Gabriel Luis Moreno, NicJim Oliver, Michael Vincent Cabral, and Ryu Kawasaki will be competing for the men’s squad. (Mark Victor Pasagoy)