INQUIRER Sports

THE 32ND SMART NATIONAL CHAMPIonships, taekwondo’s biggest event, kicks off Aug. 12 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum with around 2,000 athletes from 16 regions all over the country gunning for top plums in various divisions.

Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert N. Aventajado said the event gives the country’s up-and-coming jins the chance to see action in six novice and advance groups, namely, senior, junior and grade school for men, women, boys and girls.

There will also be team competition in the chapter (novice), regional and city events. Each team is allowed five players and two alternates.

According to organizing committee chair Sung Chon Hong, all branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police will also field their own bets.

Members of the national squad will see action for different clubs, including UAAP schools like UST, DLSU, Ateneo, UP, UE and FEU. Among the regions vying in the tournament are ARMM, CAR, Caraga and National Capital Region.

Also sending teams are Las Piñas, Cebu, Iloilo, Mindoro, Bicol, Leyte, Baguio, Pangasinan, Negros, Cavite, Ilocos, Bulacan, Rizal, Batangas, Palawan, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Cotabato, Zamboanga.

The Korean ambassador has been invited to grace the opening ceremony at 1 p.m. today as a special guest since the event coincides with 60th anniversary of the Philippines/Korea Bilateral Relationship.

Other guests include Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee officials, Smart executives and other VIPs. Among the event’s sponsors are PSC, Smart Communication, Adidas, PLDT, Milo and Gatorade.