Team Lakay’s ‘Future Champion Kids Training’ program is off to a good start as several trainees have progressed.
Coach Mark Sangiao said the trainees have shown potential in terms of skill level, attitude and their attendance during training.
Progressing to the elite training program are Chance Giague, Ellaine Saclag, Kizan Rabang and Robert Daniel, all students from Benguet National High School with Jessa Mae Ventura and Anilyn Linglingan, all students from Tublay School of Home Industries.
Sangiao said aside from those who moved on to elite training, those who were elevated to the future champs program are Hyuma Sibaen (12–years–old) and Kryg Ebes (14–yrs–old).
The ‘Future Champion Kids Training’ program are just some of the few initiatives by the team together with Cong. Eric Go Yap, who serves as manager for Team Lakay.
“In three to five years, hopefully, national champions na sila,” said Sangiao.
Sangiao said what makes this initiative stand out is the unique foundation upon which it’s built where every enrolled child, without prior knowledge or experience in martial arts, enters the program on an equal footing, creating a level playing field for all, underscoring Team Lakay’s belief in raw talent and untapped potential waiting to be harnessed.
The program started in March 2023, attracting 15 enrollees. Sangiao said most of the athletes who were elevated in the elite training program will represent Benguet in the upcoming Batang Pinoy National Finals set this November in Palawan.
The Team Lakay coach added it will be a continuing program following their agreement with the Department of Education – Benguet which aims to foster a collaborative environment for the continuous improvement of student-athletes in the areas of Wushu Sanshou, MMA, and other relevant martial arts disciplines. “Every year, we will welcome trainees from the different schools in Benguet then every six months, they will be evaluated,” Sangiao added.
A former MMA champion himself, Sangiao said in addition to future champions program, Team Lakay will also enhance the skills of coaches in Benguet as part of the agreement with DepEd.
“Thru DepEd, tutulongan natin mga coaches sa mga ibat’ ibang munisipyo na mas maging bihasa tapos yung mga mati-train nila will compete under ACE and yun ang magiging basis natin sa mga athletes na mapili sa ating mga programs,” added Sangiao.
-TL PR
