The Philippines will host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Taekwondo Championship from 11 to 12 March in preparation for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.
Philippine Taekwondo Association director Stephen Fernandez said the federation offered to host the event after the Cambodians declined.
The federation has yet to finalize the roster for the tournament but Fernandez bared that it will be a mix of young and old players who will be competing here.
“Actually, by tradition, the ASEAN Taekwondo Federation would host this event during the year of the SEA Games where it will have the same host. But Cambodia won’t be able to host it,” Fernandez said.
“With (the help of) ASEAN Taekwondo Federation president Monsour del Rosario, the PTA pitched in to host it as a primer for the SEA Games.”
“No final lineup but last year, a mix of veteran and up-and-coming players were sent there.”
This will be one of the buildups for the Philippines as the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China and several Olympic qualifiers are also taking place this year.
The Philippines ended the Hanoi SEA Games in third place with a 2-5-3 gold-silver-bronze medal tally.
Fernandez said they are also waiting for the response from neighboring countries to participate in the tournament.
“It was finalized last week and was sent to other countries a few days ago I am also waiting for confirmation from other countries as well,” Fernandez said.
