Bill banning minors in combat sports will kill grassroots development—NSAs

FILE –Filipino athlete Jearome Calica (red shorts) and Joemar Gallaza (blue shorts) wins gold at the Waikru Mai Muay Thai competition of the 30th SEA Games in Subic, Zambales on December 4, 2019. INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines–National sports associations from combat sports stood their ground in opposing a bill anticipated to deal a death blow on their talent-discovery agenda.

Philippine Olympic Committee board members Pearl Managuelod of muay thai has been very vocal in defending the aversion of the 13 NSAs against House Bill No. 1526, which will ban minors from engaging in combat sports once it is passed into law.

“It will be a big blow to our grassroots development because we’re really trying to promote muay thai on the grassroots level,’’ said Managuelod, the Muaythai Association of the Philippines secretary general.

“At five years old, we already want them to participate on a recreational level for them to enjoy the sport. We don’t allow head blows and make sure they wear the needed protective gear,’’ said Managuelod.

According to POC executive board member Dave Carter of judo, POC president Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino is very much against the bill while the Philippine Sports Commission likewise supported the NSAs during the first reading of the bill on Wednesday.

Ako Bicol representatives Alfredo Garbin Jr. and Elizaldy Co filed the bill, which was brought up by the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development chaired by Manila representative Yul Servo Nieto.

The proposal to forbid minors in contact sports was spurred when 16-year-old Jonas Garcia, a fourth-year high school student from Bulacan, died after days in a coma following his boxing bout in the 2013 Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association qualifier for the Palarong Pambansa.

Carter said a technical working group including representatives from combat sports NSAs will be formed to tackle the bill and discuss the joint position paper of the 13 NSAs.