CEBU will play host to 16 countries today as the 4th Doce Pares World Congress and Invitational Tournament kicks off at the SM City Cebu Conference Room.
Doce Pares supreme grandmaster Dionesio Canete welcomed the different delegations yesterday in a welcome dinner held at the World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (WEKAF) headquarters in Sto. Nino Village, barangay Banilad.
The hostilities start today with the sayaw and forms competition following the International Eskrimadors Festival. Sparring competitions will start tomorrow and will be open to the public.
The competition will adapt a knockout format with classes ranging from juniors, seniors, 40-above, men and women’s 18-39 as well as a special division for kids.
16 countries are set to participate, including the USA, Indonesia, England, Ireland, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Norway, Italy, Greece, Korea, Belgium, Holland, Australia, France, Canada and Puerto Rico.
The 4th Doce Pares World Congress and Invitational Tournament, which is co-presented by the Cebu City Sports Commission and sponsored by Cebu Grand Hotel, Quantum Prosys and New Susing’s Guitar, will also see local participants from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Doce Pares Manila, Arnis Philippines and various Cebu-based eskrima clubs.
In addition, the first Eskrima Temple will be inaugurated and blessed on July 26 at the scenic barangay Malubog, Cebu City. The temple is also the second one of its kind in the entire world devoted to a martial art with the first one being the Shaolin Temple in China. Correspondent Jonas Panerio