|
|
USFMAF GIRDS FOR INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS The United States Filipino Martial Arts Federation (USFMAF) is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers with a passion for Filipino Martial Arts. USFMAF's mission is to promote ALL martial arts that derive their heritage from the Philippines. Just a few FMA styles represented by members are Lameco, Bahala Na, Serrada Escrima, Kombatan and Multi-Style Systems. The United States Filipino Martial Arts Federation, Inc was formed in June 2006. Elected to the Executive board of Directors are Master Darren Tibon as President, Maestro Alex France as Vice President, Guro Darlene Tibon as Secretary, Sensei Eugene Tibon as Advisor and Sifu Anthony Wade as Treasurer. In December 2006, USFMAF became an incorporated charity. In February of 2007 USFMAF filed for their 501c3 tax exempt status. Since June of 2006 USFMAF has sponsored 14 referee and sparring clinics held between Pleasanton CA, Stockton CA and Portland OR. Tournaments in Oregon hosted by Maestro Mike Bowers; Arkansas hosted by Maestro John Malmo; Stockton California hosted by Stockton Sports Commission and T-Bone Productions and, in June, Oklahoma hosted by Maestro Scott Kendrick have all been sanctioned by USFMAF. The FMA was part of DISNEYLAND® Martial Arts Festival at DISNEYLAND® Resort, Anaheim, California this past February. By sanctioning these tournaments, over 100 FMA competitors have qualified to compete in the USFMAF National Championships on October 28, 2007 as part of Disney’s Martial Arts Festival at Disney’s Wide World of Sports® Complex in the WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort, near Orlando, Fl.
On Sunday April 15, 2007, the United States Filipino Martial Arts Federation, Inc held a referee clinic in Stockton, Ca. As referee clinics go, this clinic was clearly one of the best attended with close to thirty participants including Maestro Scott Kendrick of Oklahoma, Maestro Felix Valencia of Los Angeles, Datu Frank Lile of Manteca, Ca. and not in photo Jeanelle Van Buskirk of Oklahoma. Also in attendance was Maestro Dexter Labonog of Sacramento, Ca.
The host Master Darren Tibon structured the seminar as a working, hands on seminar with live matches to help educate referee and judges. Using this structure for the seminar, referees and judges were able to understand the beauty of acknowledging blade techniques, stick techniques as well as blocks and counters. At this clinic Maestro Felix was impressed and volunteered to become part of the USFMAF to help represent Southern California and Maestro Scott Kendrick joined the ranks of 50 other certified USFMAF referee and judges.
By hosting referee clinics and certifying referee and judges, providing standardized rules and offering Remote Tournament Sanctioning, the United States Filipino Martial Arts Federation will create consistent officiating in tournaments providing an FMA division throughout United States. Additionally, USFMAF is in the process of finalizing DVD’s to assist judges and referees to hone their officiating skills. For more information on USFMAF or upcoming sanctioned events please visit www.usfmaf.org Sifu Anthony Wade USFMAF Treasurer and 4th Degree Kajukenbo Gaylord Method Black Belt under Professor Pete Morales.
|
