The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) reaffirmed its commitment to promote the national sport of Arnis in the region during the 7th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Sports (AMMS-7), the 14th Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS-14) and related meetings, in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The conclaves brought together sports ministers, leaders and officials from across Southeast Asia from August 27 to September 2 to discuss collaborative efforts in promoting sports excellence and development.

Pressing areas of discussions for the PSC was its commitment to foster a culture of sportsmanship, inclusivity and excellence in the Philippines and the broader ASEAN community.

“The Philippines has always been in support of the activities of the different ASEAN member states that are incorporated in the ASEAN Work Plan on Sports 2021-2025, to strengthen cooperation towards an active community, where sports grow with integrity and serve an essential means in advancing socio-cultural development and promoting peace,” said PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, who led the Philippine delegation.

Bachmann furthered that the sports agency plans to conduct the second edition of the Arnis Expo next year, as part of the scheduled activities of the Philippines in the sport’s overall promotional program. 

“Arnis, as our national sport, is a complete martial art system of weapons training and empty-hand self defense. We want our ASEAN neighbors to experience and appreciate this sport and further forge sports activities and exchanges of experts,” added the PSC chief, who was joined by PSC Commissioner Bong Coo as the country’s SOMS leader.

Coo graced the 6th SOMS+Japan meetings, where the lady commissioner shared the initiatives and efforts of the PSC regarding women in sports this year, with the end view of building collaborative measures among ASEAN member states. 

“This is a great opportunity to learn from our neighbors, and continue our commitment of equal participation and opportunity of sports for every woman in the region,” Commissioner Coo said.

In 2019, prior to the country’s SEA Games hosting, the Philippines anchored the 5th edition of the AMMS and related meetings which gathered delegates from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Vietnam and Timor Leste at the PICC in Pasay City.