Smart goes full blast in support of Pinoy riders

MANILA, Philippines - Wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) recently formalized its support to the Philippines’ London Olympics delegation through an agreement signed with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

One of the 11 Filipino athletes that will get the backing of Smart is cyclist Daniel “Danny” Caluag, the only Asian to qualify in the London Games’ Bicycle Motocross (BMX) event.

The 25-year-old Fil-Am whose parents hail from Bulacan and Nueva Ecija completed his training in the Netherlands and Canada in preparation for the BMX event that will officially kick off in London on Aug. 8.

“We are very proud and excited to have Danny on board the Philippine Team,” said Orlando B. Vea, Smart’s Chief Wireless Advisor. “Danny who has made a name for himself in the US BMX scene is one of the world’s best bikers and we’re glad that he joined his home country and added power to Team Philippines.”

Caluag has four No. 1 titles in the American Bicycle Association (ABA) races, clinching both the top AA and Pro Cruiser titles in 2007. He is also the 2012 Asian BMX Champion and the 2012 USA Cycling Collegiate BMX National Champion.

“Given his skills, background and track record, we have high hopes that Danny will help end our country’s Olympic medal drought,” Vea added.

BMX is just one of the cycling events in the 2012 London Olympics, along with track cycling, road cycling and mountain biking. BMX is characterized by its extreme dirt obstacles, in the tradition of motorcycle racing on off road circuits.

The BMX event in the 2012 London Olympics will only be its second edition in the summer games as a full medal sport, having been debuted in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  

Locally, Smart is helping promote cycling through partnerships with various associations, support to cycling teams and staging of various biking events. 

One of the leading drivers of cycling is the POC-accredited national sports association (NSA) Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines or PhilCycling. Smart supported the Smart-PhilCycling National Team.

In April this year, Smart helped in the successful holding of the Le Tour De Filipinas, a summer bicycle tour participated in by both local and international teams. 

In March, Smart also sponsored the national team competing for the Asian Cycling Championships and Asian Youth Championships both held in Malaysia.

“Cycling is one of the sports we Filipinos can compete and excel,” said Epok Quimpo, Smart Sports Manager. “As we’ve seen in major Tours, Filipino cyclists are world-class bikers. With the qualification of Danny as the only Asian in the Olympics BMX event, this is a testament that we Filipinos can compete with the world. We hope Danny’s Olympic journey will inspire more Filipino kids to follow in his footsteps,” Quimpo added.

The 2012 London Olympics will formally open on July 27, 2012. Smart is an official partner of the Philippine national Olympic team.