Smart national age group lures big field

MANILA, Philippines - Youthful jins take the spotlight this weekend with the staging of the 2009 Smart national age group taekwondo championships on Nov. 7-8 at the Rizal Memorial coliseum.

According to Philippine Taekwondo Association president Robert N. Aventajado, around 1,500 youngsters will vie for honors in two divisions – juniors (male and female) aged 14 to 16 and grade school (boys and girls) 13 years old and below.

The event showcases the young talents of the sport whom organizing committee chair Sung Chon Hong has recruited from all over the country as part of the PTA’s grassroots program.

Hong, who is also PTA vice president, says participants might also include children as young as four years old.

“It pays to start them young,” says Hong of youngsters enrolled in various taekwondo classes.

The event is organized by the PTA and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Smart Communications, PLDT and Milo.