Team Lakay, one of Asia’s best mixed martial arts teams, has partnered with Benguet State University for the proposed establishment of a training center for future combat sports world champions within a BSU property.
BSU officials led by president Felipe S. Comila met with Team Lakay chair Mark Sangiao last week to discuss their partnership for future programs.
In acknowledging the team’s accomplishments and efforts in molding young athletes to become champions, Comila has expressed support to the team’s request for a lot where the training center could be established.
The planned training center will be put up in an unsegregated 500-square meter BSU housing property in Puguis, La Trinidad, Benguet.
“My heart is delighted to offer that (lot) to you because you are the people that are doing right. Your talents and skills will be put to naught if there is no structure that will gather you, so you should have this structure to showcase the existence of our talents, our skills, and our brilliance,” Comila said.
Team Lakay will meet with BSU Director of the Land Reservation Office Feliciano delos Santos to inspect the area and prepare the necessary survey and documents.
Sangiao thanked the BSU official for granting their request and committed the group will help train BSU athletes to become world champions.
“We also want to share the talent that the Lord gave us. We want to create a legacy and pass those belts and techniques and everything to the next generations of champions not only in Benguet but also in the whole country, so having that facility is a big help for us,” Sangiao said.
Reigning and former world champions from Team Lakay led by Eduard Folayang, Geje Eustaquio, Kevin Belingon, Joshua Pacio, and Stephen Loman also attended the meeting.
Benguet legislative caretaker Rep. Eric Yap has pledged to support Team Lakay in its planned training center. – Ofelia C. Empian
April 26, 2024
