The thirty second Erne Jawad Memorial Desk Tennis Cup at full swing on the Cebu Coliseum. | CDN Digital photograph
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Desk tennis patron Jessica Jawad Honoridez praised the devoted volunteers and supporters who made the thirty second Erne Jawad Memorial Desk Tennis Cup a powerful success.
The occasion concluded final Monday, August 26, on the Cebu Coliseum, attracting a record-breaking variety of over 1,000 contributors from throughout the Philippines—greater than double the turnout from 2023.
As the biggest and longest-running desk tennis match within the nation, the Jawad Cup has cemented its standing as a cornerstone of Philippine desk tennis.
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Honoridez highlighted that the occasion’s success is a testomony to the tireless efforts of Cebu’s native desk tennis group and the unwavering help from each private and non-private sectors.
“This occasion wouldn’t be potential with out the unbelievable help of our native authorities unit (LGU) and the Cebu Metropolis Sports activities Fee (CCSC). And naturally, our volunteers. It is a purely volunteer-run match,” Honoridez mentioned.
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A GATHERING OF THE NATION’S BEST
The annual Erne Jawad Cup has change into greater than only a competitors—it’s a yearly celebration that brings collectively the brightest stars and rising abilities in Philippine desk tennis.
The occasion has change into a fixture on the calendar for a lot of Manila-based varsity and college groups, providing a novel alternative to compete, share concepts, and contribute to the game’s progress.
READ: Cebu sports activities leaders spotlight volunteerism and Olympic desires
“In 32 years, we’ve realized and found a lot,” Honoridez mirrored.
“Organizing a match like this teaches you that it’s not nearly your occasion—it’s about everybody coming collectively for the love of the game.”
This yr’s match noticed a fierce competitors from amongst numerous desk tennis factions, rival universities, and nationwide groups, all united by their ardour for the sport.
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO NATIONAL PROMINENCE
Honoridez, the youthful sister of the late Erne Jawad—a Philippine desk tennis workforce member who tragically handed away in 1990—fondly recalled the primary match she organized in her brother’s reminiscence.
The inaugural occasion in Cebu had solely two contributors, a humble starting that has since grown into an establishment within the sport.
“I keep in mind once we had simply two gamers in our first yr. We used to maneuver from venue to venue, counting on sponsorships from these prepared to host us. It’s unbelievable to see how far we’ve come,” Honoridez shared.
Regardless of its progress and success, the match nonetheless faces minor hiccups.
Nonetheless, Honoridez believes that the spirit of volunteerism and the willingness to collaborate and share concepts amongst all stakeholders have been key to overcoming these challenges.
“I’m all the time open to strategies from contributors. Listening to everybody’s concepts is essential as a result of this match belongs to all of us. The credibility of the occasion is all the time at stake, however we’ve maintained it with everybody’s assist,” she mentioned.
Wanting forward, Honoridez is already planning for subsequent yr’s version and the opportunity of extending the taking part in dates to accommodate the growing variety of contributors, whereas on the lookout for an acceptable billeting quarters for them to remain.
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