282 athletes to represent city to Batang Pinoy

A total of 282 athletes will represent the city at the Batang Pinoy, the country’s national youth sports competition for athletes under 15 years old slated on Dec. 4-10 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

City Administrator Bonifacio Dela Peña said they completed the selection last Aug. 26 after the elimination rounds for the different sporting events.

City Sports Division Head Gaudencio Gonzales said 17 events are lined up which will be played either in-person or virtually.

Events to be conducted virtually are arnis, dancesport, judo, karate, muay, pencak silat, taekwondo and wushu.

In-person events are archery, athletics, badminton, chess, cycling, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting and game sports.

Batang Pinoy will be the first national multi-sporting event to be held after two years of absence due to the pandemic.

Unlike the Palarong Pambansa which only involves student athletes, the Batang Pinoy includes the out-of-school youth.

It is jointly undertaken by the local government units, the Department of Education and the Philippine Sports Commission. – Aileen P. Refuerzo