Sport climbing team in search of sponsors

MANILA, Philippines - While preparing its bets for sport climbing’s debut as a medal event in next month’s Southeast Asian Games, the Sport Climbing Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SCAPI) looks for private funding to send a complete 12-member contingent to Palembang, Indonesia.

Only one athlete and one official have been approved by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission for the sport climbing team, which has been training for their projected SEAG stint since March.

To cover for the budgetary requirements of the 11 other climbers whom SCAPI feels have the potential to outperform their rivals, the SCAPI has launched a fund-raising campaign for the Philippine National Climbing Team, the details of which are posted on the Facebook page “Fundraising for PNCT.”

SCAPI has high hopes for its pool, considering the promising performances of Jaime Amiel Pahati, its top bet in Male Lead and Bouldering Category, and Ina Flores.

Pahati won top honors in the SEA Climbing Circuit – Malaysia Leg in 2005 and competed in the 2011 World Climbing Championships in Arco, Italy last July, besting counterparts from ASEAN in the Bouldering category.

Flores, Phl champion since 2003, placed second in the Putrajaya Lead Climbing Competition last March 2011 and was finalist the Asian X Games and SEA Climbing Federation Championships (2005) and Chinese Mountaineering Association International Invitational (2009).

Other bets are Aldwin Ibanez, Kristian Guerrero, Jonathan Feleo, Jason Sauco, Erwin Gozum Raymond Blancaflor, Milky Mae Tejares, Allen Enrique, Karen Mae Gudani, and Marie Natalie Collado, who, according to SCAPI have gained significant progress in training.

“SCAPI is appreciative of the PSC’s support, even for a single athlete,” the association said in a statement.