“Barangay to the Olympics”: PSFI launches grassroots initiative to build future sambo stars

The Pilipinas Sambo Federation Inc. (PSFI) is gearing up to further strengthen its grassroots development programs in 2026 through partnerships and expanded collaboration with its affiliated clubs. With a clear goal of attracting more Filipino youth to take up sambo, the federation continues to broaden its reach at the community level while preparing the next generation of national athletes.

As part of this commitment, the PSFI recently staged a free sambo clinic for young athletes, organized in cooperation with the Manila City Sambo Club. The activity was held on Saturday, January 10, at the Patricia Paraiso Sports Complex in Tondo, Manila, drawing dozens of children eager to learn the basics of the combat sport.

Philippine sambo head coach Ace Larida emphasized the significance of grassroots expansion, noting that sustained athlete development is essential for long-term competitiveness.

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“This is very beneficial for the kids. We already had a chapter in Makati with Alexander Li and coach Godwin Langbayan, and now we have conducted one here in Manila with the help of Rommel Miranda and Samson Bernales. Grassroots development is the most important because our national team members will not remain strong forever. We need to continuously look for young athletes with potential,” Larida said in a media interaction.

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Coach Rommel Miranda, who helped facilitate the event, echoed Larida’s views and underscored the importance of community-based programs as a pathway toward elite competition.

“Paolo Tancontian and I both come from a judo background, so we help each other in grassroots development. We want to extend this initiative from judo to sambo to provide more opportunities for children. I fondly call this program ‘Barangay to the Olympics’—starting at the barangay level and working our way toward the Olympics. That’s the vision of our program,” Miranda added.

The clinic also received a morale boost from the presence of 2025 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Sy-Tancontian, whose achievements served as inspiration to the young participants. Her attendance highlighted the potential career pathways that sambo can offer to dedicated athletes.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Sambo Team continues its preparation for major international tournaments, with particular focus on the Asia Oceania Sambo Championships, which the country is set to host in June this year. The upcoming event marks a significant milestone for the federation, providing an opportunity to showcase both local talent and the progress of sambo development in the Philippines.

“We are always prepared. Our training never stops, especially with the Asian Championship set to be held here in the country,” Larida concluded.

With intensified grassroots efforts, strengthened partnerships, and the support of decorated national athletes, the Pilipinas Sambo Federation is positioning the sport for substantial growth in 2026 and beyond. By nurturing talent at the community level and providing clear pathways toward elite competition, the PSFI aims to build a sustainable pipeline of young athletes capable of representing—and excelling—the Philippines in regional and global sambo events. As the federation continues to widen its reach and elevate its programs, the future of sambo in the country appears both promising and firmly grounded in grassroots development.

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