Let’s help our poor PH chess team

A PHILIPPINE sports team will travel and compete abroad in December with no plan or hope whatsoever of enjoying the sights, win or lose.

The event is the 8th Asean Para Games to be held in Singapore.

This particular team, under the Philippine Para Chess Association, is composed of totally blind chess masters, namely Franchis Ching, Rudy Sarmiento, Cecilio Bilog.

Other members of the national para chess team are (ortho) Sander Severino, Henry Lopez, James Infiesto; and (partial blind) Menandro Redor, Sebastian, Israel Peligro.

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“We really needed support,” said Francis, who finished in the medal rounds in the previous Asean Para Games.

Francis, my godson, functions as a therapist and masseur in a major mall along Edsa. He formally got married in civil ceremonies at Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court the other month. They have one daughter.

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Their stint in Singapore is being sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission.

From what had been told, the team will leave without a chaperon, although there are volunteers asking to help out.

It would indeed be a terrible challenge to do board battle alone in their dark world. But with some help from the private sector, these handicapped national athletes should be able to function with some comfort and confidence.

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Francis said their stint is under the care and supervision of the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently-Abled (PhilSPADA)-NPC Philippines, with offices at Philsports Complex in Pasig.

“PhilSPADA is the organizer of all games for the Paralympics,” Francis said.

He gave its office numbers: 6350375, 6364884 and 0933-6129817. Ask for Ms Irene.

I will personally go to friends to solicit help, thank you for your kindness.

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(SHARP SHOT: From Sen. Grace Poe: “Hindi dapat ipagmalaki ang mga call center, dahil puro sakit at bisyo lang ang naidulot nito sa bayan. Sayang ang pinag-aralan ng kabataan.”)