PH, Saudi Explore Partnership in Sports

Ministry of Sports’ General Manager for International Cooperation, Mrs. Ghandourah Ghandourah and Chargé d’Affaires Rommel Romato. (Riyadh PE photo)

RIYADH 24 May 2023 — The Philippine Embassy, led by Chargé d’Affaires Rommel Romato, met with Mrs. Ghandourah Ghandourah, General Manager for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Sports last 18 May 2023.

As part of the Embassy’s celebration of Filipino Heritage Month, Mr. Romato highlighted the significance of Arnis, hailed as the national sport and martial art of the Philippines. He also sought the Ministry’s assistance in identifying a Saudi Sports Federation or committee that could assist in promoting Arnis, given its exceptional technique as self-defense.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to advance collaboration in youth and sports exchanges to pursue the Philippines’ and Saudi Arabia’s health and wellness programs for the general public.

As of 2023, over 25 individuals are actively training and teaching Arnis in Riyadh. Grandmaster Jay Japuz, a certified Arnis Guro in Riyadh from Arnis Philippines and IARNIS International, has trained more than 500 individuals in Arnis.

With the Ministry of Sports’ mandate to raise physical activity levels in Saudi Arabia to 40% by 2030, the Philippine Embassy conveyed its support for developing sports partnerships and fostering future collaborations between the two countries. END

For more information, visit https://www.riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinKSA, https://twitter.com/PHLinKSA or https://www.instagram.com/phlinksa/