QC fencing development program gets Atayde’s support
Quezon City 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde (back, third from left) and Councilor Joseph Juico (back, 2nd from left), and young fencers of QCSEP pose for a photo following a meeting on May 17, 2024. Contributed photo
A Quezon City fencing program responsible for producing one of the Filipino athletes going to the 2024 Olympics in Paris has earned the backing of 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde.
The Quezon City congressman, who is a member of the Youth Sports Development Committee in the House of Representatives, said support for programs like QCSEP is necessary “if we want to help Filipino athletes achieve their dreams of competing in the Olympics.”
“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,” he said.
Atayde met Juico, the young fencers of QCSEP, and their parents on May 17 at the legislator’s district office in West Avenue, Quezon City, to discuss ways to help and develop fencers not only from the district but also cities from all over 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 ongoing programs.
Atayde commended QCSEP for producing a Filipino fencer slated to represent the country in the 2024 Paris Olympics: 22-year-old Barangay Del Monte resident Samantha Kyle Catantan.
Catantan qualified for the Paris Olympics after winning the gold in the women’s foil event at the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier last July in the United Arab Emirates. She is the first Filipino fencer to qualify for the summer games since Walter Torres in 1988.
“QCSEP deserves credit for developing world-class fencers like our very own Samantha Catantan,” said Atayde. “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.”
QCSEP Fencing is a program spearheaded by longtime QC 1st District Councilor Joseph Juico. It was established 18 years ago and is an active advocate of grassroots sports development.
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