Team Philippines is set to reclaim lost glory when the 12th World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (Wekaf) Championship and Congress unfurls on July 18 at the Cebu International Convention Center.
The Philippine team last tasted success with the overall crown in 2000.
After 11 years, the closest that the squad has come to winning it all again was four years ago when it last hosted the event at the Ayala Center Cebu.
It was a heartbreaking stint for the country as it lost the crown by a mere gold medal to the powerhouse United States contingent.
The country鈥檚 last campaign in the world championships was a subdued one as it sent only 13 players and managed just six gold medals in the event that was held in Mexico City.
Wekaf president Gerald Ca帽ete, son of the supreme grandmaster Dionisio Canete, expressed his utmost confidence in the country鈥檚 ability and chances to take back the coveted prize.
鈥淭his time, we made a lot of preparations,鈥� said Ca帽ete in a statement to the press. 鈥淭he composition of the Philippine team is now broader because聽 our players went through an extensive selection process. We鈥檙e training the guys hard and we will try our best to win聽 the overall championship.鈥�
Meanwhile, the older Ca帽ete is set to be enshrined to the Hall of Fame along with 19 others in an event that is a first in the colorful 23-year history of the organization.
The enshrinement ceremony coincides with the formal blessing and inauguration of the Eskrima Temple on聽 July 18 at the Doce Pares Mountain Training Park in brgy. Malubog, Cebu City.
It鈥檚 the second martial arts temple in Asia after the renowed Kung Fu Temple in China.
In another first for Wekaf, a Head of State will grace the week-long joust as Honorable聽 Didier Robert, president of Reunion Island in France, is expected to be in town for the event.
Ca帽ete said they have already coordinated with the office of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia considering that聽 Robert and his entourage must be accorded with all the diplomatic courtesy due him as a foreign dignitary.
The Wekaf Congress is set on July 19 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel with Philippine聽 Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Ritchie Garcia as the guest of honor and keynote speaker.聽 /Correspondent Jonas Panerio