By el Amigo
MANILA — The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has expanded its membership by recognizing six more national sports associations, a move expected to strengthen the country’s participation in international competitions and widen its prospects for winning medals.
During its fourth General Assembly on October 22, the POC approved regular membership for the national associations governing floorball, sport climbing, lacrosse, mixed martial arts, teqball and kabaddi.
Regular membership gives the associations voting rights within the POC and greater opportunities to participate in development programs, seek funding and receive institutional support for their respective sports.
Sport climbing stands out among the six disciplines because it is part of the Olympic program for the Los Angeles 2028 Games. Filipino climbers Praj dela Cruz, EJ Salga, Lissa Vidal, Yca Dizon, Iman Mora and Paul Suson are among those emerging from national competitions and pursuing opportunities to represent the country internationally.
For the Philippine Floorball Association, the recognition marks an important milestone after 13 years of developing the sport under the leadership of president Marco Angelo Ortiz.
The association’s men’s and women’s national teams have already competed in regional and international tournaments, including the Southeast Asian Games and the World Floorball Championships.
Mixed martial arts has also delivered results for the Philippines, with Jean Claude Saclag winning silver and Carlos Alvarez earning bronze at the Asian Games in Japan.
Teqball, meanwhile, has produced promising Filipino competitors, including Prince Agustin, Dalian Montenegro, Anel Pacis Jr. and Jhoanna Abulencia, who have gained international competition experience.
The membership expansion supports POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino’s continuing efforts to develop more sports and increase the Philippines’ opportunities to contend for medals in international events.
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