Young athletes at the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) Gym in Intramuros Manila. Photo by Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — The Philippines is set to make history later this year with its first-ever hosting of the FIG Artistic Gymnastics Junior World Championships in November.
Bannered by Karl Eldrew Yulo, the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines is eying golden glory as the 16-year-old competes in all apparatus. Athletes from 90 countries are expected to take part in the competition.
“I hope I’d take a good performance because I really want to be want to be one of the best in the world,” said the younger brother of double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum in Manila.
The tournament will be held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay from November 16 to 25, and Yulo is looking to also soar high in the same tilt that his brother ruled in the past.
“It’s gonna be my first and last Junior Worlds, kasi next year, I’m going to be a senior, tapos sa Pilipinas gagawin so nakaka-pressure din po ng konti,” he said. “I want to show my best.”
However, for GAP President Cynthia Carriion, it would take a lot more than Yulo’s prowess for him to make the most out of what would be his only stint in the junior ranks.
“Please, help us make the Philippines host the best world championships, and help Eldrew win gold for us,” said Carrion as she asked for further support with regards to the funding of the Philippines’ hosting.
She shared that while she has already got the commitment of some government officials and agencies to provide P139 million, this is still over P100-M short of the total P249-M that is needed for the hosting.
“It’s gonna be a fantastic and perfect world championship,” Carrion said. “It’s gonna be a first in the Philippines, and so many would want to go to the Philippines, so it’s important that the Department of Tourism can give us some funding. So far, I think they are only offering us 1 million.”
“There are so many other countries that wanted to host, Europe wanted it, but they gave it to us because we can produce. We see the champions in the Philippines, and that is fantastic for us Filipinos,” she added.
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