TUMANGGAP ang Gymnastics Association of the Philippines (GAP) ng humigit-kumulang P7 milyong halaga ng gymnastics equipment na donasyon ng gobyerno ng Japan sa pamamagitan ng Grant Assistance for Cultural Grassroots Project nito.
Pinangunahan nina Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko at GAP [resident Cynthia Carrion ang ribbon-cutting ceremony para sa top-of-the-line equipment na inilagay sa loob ng GAP Training Center sa Rizal Memorial Sports Complex sa Malate, Manila.
Naroon din sina Japan Embassy First Secretary Hitomi Akihiko, dating pangulo ng Pilipinas na si Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, House Committee on Youth and Sports chairman Rep. Faustino Michael Dy III, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Walter Torres, MVP Sports Foundation executive director Jude Michael Turcuato, world champion Carlos Edriel Yulo at Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya.
“We would like to thank the Japanese government’s generous help in setting up this facility for our aspiring gymnasts who can now train and develop their skills and talent using quality equipment that we did not have before,” ani Carrion, na pumirma sa grant asisistance sa official residence ng Japanese ambassador sa Forbes Park, Makati noong nakaraang taon.
Kabilang sa mga apparatus na na-install ay men’s parallel bars, women’s balance beam, vault at soft mats na gawa ng Senoh Sporting Equipment Company, isang nangungunang manufacturer sports equopment sa Japan at pawang pumasa sa pamantayan ng FIG.
“We are grateful to Ambassador Koshikawa for helping us in securing the grant so that we can further discover and nurture top gymnasts like Carlos Yulo, a GAP protege since he was seven years old and has emerged as a two-time world champion,” Carrion said.
“Our youthful athletes now have an environment where they can train properly with equipment that was used by elite gymnasts during the big sports events. Hopefully, their lingering aura will rub off on our budding gymnasts,” pahayag pa ni Carrion.
Tiniyak din ng pangulo ng GAP na aalagaan nang husto ang world-class na kagamitan upang matiyak na maraming kabataang gymnast ang makakagamit nito sa mahabang panahon.
