Benguet Rep. Eric Yap took a break from his busy schedule to have an outdoor dialogue with members of Team Lakay on the proposed setup of a multipurpose training center at the Benguet Sports Complex in La Trinidad.
Yap reached out to Team Lakay chair Mark Sangiao and Filipino mixed martial arts legend Eduard Folayang at the Baguio Athletic Bowl on March 8, where the athletes conduct cross training.
Yap said he would propose that Sangiao, who also serves as one of the trainers of national athletes under the Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas (SKP), to be part of the group to be consulted when the training center intended for combat sports athletes will be constructed within the sports complex.
In 2020, Yap pledged that Team Lakay, which has put the Philippines in the world’s MMA map, must have its own gym that can be compared to the best gyms in the world like those in Thailand.
At present, Team Lakay rents spaces for its training centers in La Trinidad and Baguio City.
Some Team Lakay fighters are currently members of the kickboxing and Muay Thai national squads.
Former wushu-sanda world champion Jean Claude Saclag, Jerry Olsim, and Gina Iniong-Araos are members of the SKP while Islay Erika Bomogao and Jenelyn Olsim are members of the Muay Thai national team.
Aside from having its own gym, Yap has been providing financial assistance and incentives from his personal funds to athletes of Team Lakay.
He also pledged an undisclosed amount for Folayang if he wins against Muay Thai legend John Wayne Parr of Australia.
The two combat sports legend are set to face in Singapore on March 26. – Harley F. Palangchao
April 26, 2024
