NCC, Solar seal partnership for cheerleading broadcast

MANILA, Philippines - The National Cheerleading Championship and Solar Sports have linked up to telecast one of the country’s fastest growing sports beginning with the regional qualifiers next month up to the National Finals in March next year.

NCC head Carlos Valdez and Solar Entertainment Corp. president Wilson Tieng have agreed to air five to six hours of the NCC Championship at MOA Arena on SkyCable (Ch. 70), Cignal (Ch. 55), Destiny (Ch. 35) and Cablelink (Ch. 58).

“Last season, Solar Sports aired the Nationals in its entirety, bringing all the excitement, drama, and fun to fans nationwide,” said Valdez in yesterday’s press conference also attended by Solar’s Ralph Roy, Rafael Veloso and Paolo Dizon and NCC national director and head judge Paula Nunag at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Capital Commons, Pasig.

“The coverage was world-class, expertly capturing the essence of the sport,” he added.

“We’re very thankful and thrilled to partner with the NCC on this undertaking,” said Tieng.

The partnership actually started last year when Solar broadcasted five to six hours of the Nationals. This year, Solar Sports will not only air highlights of the multi-leg regionals and cheer camps but also the campaign of the Philippine team in the World Championships in Disneyworld, Florida.

“Cheerleading is one of the fastest growing sports around the world, and the Philippines is among the top nations in the sport,” said Nunag. “We are proud to be teaming up with Solar Sports as it leads the way in supporting this endeavor.”

The NCC, now on its ninth year, is regarded as the premier cheerleading competition in the country.

Last season, a record of over 5,000 athletes from 250 schools across the nation participated in the largest assembly of top cheerleading and cheerdancing squads in recent years.

The Philippines won a silver and a bronze in last year’s World Championship, the Olympics of cheerleading, in Orlando, Florida.