Atayde vows to help QC fencing program

QUEZON City 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos «Arjo» Atayde has vowed to support the city's fencing program that produced Samantha Kyle Catantan, who qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The lawmaker made the pledge last week, emphasizing that support for the program is needed «if we want to help Filipino athletes achieve their dreams of competing.»

Atayde, a member of the House Committee on Youth and Sports Development, said that «fencing is one of the many sports that young Filipino athletes can excel in, and we are working with Councilor Joseph Juico so that we can help QCSEP better develop Filipino fencers who can compete not only in local tournaments, but also in international competitions.»

The Quezon City fencing program (QCSEP) is led by Juico.

Last May 17, Atayde met QCSEP's young fencers and their parents to talk about how to aid and to develop fencers from Metro Manila.

«It's great to know that there's a grassroots sports program for fencing in Quezon City that develops and nurtures kids from all over Metro Manila. With enough helping hands, QCSEP can produce fencers who can excel in the sport and one day win a medal for our country in the Olympics,» said Atayde who extended financial support for the team's programs.

The lawmaker lauded the QCSEP for producing the 22-year-old Catantan, who had won gold in a qualifier in the United Arab Emirates.

The last time that the country was represented in Olympic fencing was by Walter Torres in 1992 in Barcelona.

«QCSEP deserves credit for developing world-class fencers like our very own Samantha Catantan,» Atayde said.

«Her qualifying for the Olympics is proof that we should invest time and resources in fencing, which is why we plan to provide support for this sport in our district, and later on the entire Quezon City,» he said.