In spite getting denied recognition by the Philippine Olympic Committee, the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) got a healthy serving of good news as its bid in the 27th Summer Universiade in Kazan, Russia will be supported by the San Miguel Corporation through its chief executive Ramon S. Ang.
The event slated this July is expected to attract nearly 200 countries. The Philippines’ delegation is composed of more than 80 athletes, which includes the University of the Visayas Green Lancers, who earned the right to represent the country in the basketball competition.
The FESSAP is the country’s lone university sports federation that is officially recognized by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), which organizes the participation to the Summer Universiade and Winter Universiade every two years. The prestigious multi-sport Universiade features the most prominent university athletes in the world and is considered the Olympics of the university competitions.
“The FESSAP is strongly committed to the development of youth sports in the country,” said David Ong, the president of the privately-funded university sports federation. “The athletes we send to international events not only take part in sports competitions but also benefit from the cultural exchanges among the youth from other countries.”
“For the Kazan Universiade, the FESSAP is deeply honored by the presence of Mr. Ang and San Miguel Corporation in our support group. Once again, SMC has extended its support for Philippine sports, especially to our youthful athletes. The FESSAP is truly thankful of their support.”