CEBU - A first in the annals of Cebu sports, exciting motocross action can now be regularly viewed on television with the entry of INTV-powered CCTN Channel 47 as official media partner of the annual MS Motosuit Motocross Series.
During the weekly SCOOP-Cebu forum yesterday at Baseline Restaurant, CCTN president Bro. Nonito “Dodong” Limchua and MS Motocross top honcho Lou Ornopia signed the Memorandum of Agreement formalizing their tie-up.
The contract signing was witnessed by SCOOP-Cebu president Robert “Bobby Knight” Inoferio and CCTN-47 station manager Stella Palomo-Monteño.
Others present were some of Cebu’s top riders that include reigning ‘Rider of the Year’ Seigfred Ornopia, Pepo Rubi, Gener Sicad, Rex Barbaso, Bonnie Bustillo, Clark Wagas, and MS Motosuit image models Jon-Jon Adlawan and John Flores.
“CCTN is committed to support any kind of sports in Cebu. If we won’t, who else will? Rest assured we will always be there,” said Limchua, who allots a regular time slot for motocross action at 9:30 pm every Sunday.
Aside from motocross, CCTN is also actively involved in backing up the basketball tournament of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) and boxing events under the promotional outfit of Sammy “Don King” Gello-ani.
Ornopia said his happiness is beyond measure with the support extended by the CCTN management.
“I’m very much happy. The assistance given to us by CCTN bodes well with our goal to bring the sport closer to motocross fans in the provinces,” said Ornopia. “I’m sure our riders are excited on this new development.”
Now on its third edition, Ornopia takes pride that his race series grew bigger and better each year. Last season, MS Motosuit staged two races each in Negros Oriental and Bohol, one in Leyte, and one in Mindanao (Dipolog City).
“For the past three years, motocross is alive and kicking. That is, of course, because of our sponsors and the very supportive parents. I’m very thankful to them,” said Ornopia, the 2007 Sportsman of the Year awardee by the Sportswriters Association of Cebu (SAC).
“Hopefully we will have more races this year. Actually we already received a lot of request from those who want to host a leg, but we will thoroughly screen them first if they pass our standards (particularly on the design of the racetrack),” added the soft-spoken race organizer.
MS Motosuit in partnership with Castrol Philippines has completed two races this year, so far. The venue of the third leg will be announced at the soonest possible time. – EBV (THE FREEMAN)