The 30th Southeast Asian Games may be a year away, but the Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation (PEKAF) already started its formation of the national team through a nationwide championship.

After a competitive regional qualifiers in Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and the National Capital Region, a total of 80 arnis artists from all over the country will slug it out for the 20 slots in the national squad headed for the SEA Game sin Manila next year.

PEKAF president Sen. Miguel Zubiri said only the best martial art fighters will survive the national championship.

They, however, should still train hard and remain competitive to retain their respective slots.

“Whoever wins here are the best of the best,” said Zubiri in a press launch yesterday.

“But that does not guarantee that they will be the one who will represent the country. They still need to prove themselves in training and competition if they want to represent the country in the next SEA Games.”

The last time the Philippines hosted the biennial event in 2005, there were only six events for arnis, which the Filipinos secured three gold medals to emerge as overall champion.

This time, Zubiri has proposed 20 categories (eight each for live and padded sticks and four for anyo categories) to the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and vowed to dominate it in exchange of the trust given to the federation.

“We’re proposing 20 categories so 20 medals din for both fighting and anyo categories. I will commit to you, we’ll be the best team,” he said, adding that he’s willing to step down if the country will end up empty-handed in the biennial meet.

“If we don’t win the overall championship in arnis, I will resign.”

“I will step down if we don’t win because I’ll have no face to show to the POC.”