By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio will provide star power when they grace the opening ceremony of the Philippine Sports Commission-Batang Pinoy National Championships on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.
The two boxing champions, who are products of the PSC’s grassroots program, will join fellow elite athletes Olympic judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, and Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Chloe Isleta and Mary Allin Aldeguer in the elaborate opening ceremony.
“The Batang Pinoy program has already produced numerous champions in various sports since it started in 1999. I am sure that the stories of our bemedaled athletes will inspire our young athletes who will be competing in Ilocos Sur, to reach the height they have achieved,” said PSC Chairman Noli Eala, who is expected to formally open the Games as his first major project as sports agency chief.
Other VIPs expected to attend the opening rites are host Province of Ilocos Sur Governor Jerry Singson, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino, as well as chiefs and officials of various National Sports Association (NSA), among others.
Around 6,000 athletes from over 140 local government units are set to participate in nine sports face-to-face namely archery, athletics, badminton, chess, cycling, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting, and obstacle course as a demonstration sport.
Eight sports disciplines namely arnis, dancesport, judo, karate, muay, pencak silat, taekwondo, and wushu will be held virtually via the PSC Facebook and YouTube platforms.
This year’s edition is held in partnership with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the Department of Interior and Local Government Unit (DILG) and the Department of Education (DepED), co-presented by MILO Philippines, Pocari Sweat Otsuka Solar Philippines, Universal Robina Corporation, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Globe Telecom, and Beautéderm.
Batang Pinoy (National Youth Games) is one of PSC’s centerpiece programs for grassroots sports.
