Batang Pinoy preparations on

The city is preparing for Batang Pinoy, the country’s national youth sports competition for athletes under 15 years old slated on Dec. 4-10 in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

It will be the first national multi-sporting event to be held after the pandemic.

City Sports Division Head Gaudencio Gonzales said elimination rounds are ongoing for the 17 events lined up with the participation of the different local sports associations. 

Gonzales said the athletes are excited and are looking forward to again joining the national sports meet after two years of absence.

However, not all sports events will be played face-to-face like arnis, dancesport, judo, karate, muay, pencak silat, taekwondo and wushu which will be conducted virtually.

Only archery, athletics, badminton, chess, cycling, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting and game sports will be played in-person.

Gonzales said around 150 athletes from the city are expected to be drafted for the meet.

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