By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is giving a fresh take on the Philippine National Games and the Batang Pinoy to further elevate the quality of its grassroots programs.
PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann promised that the two events will have an “international feel” to provide a better platform for aspiring national athletes.
“The PSC owes it to our aspiring athletes to give a good event. Para maengganyo ang mga bata,” said Bachmann in a press briefing on Friday, Aug. 4.
The two events will be held simultaneously on Dec. 17 to 22 at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila and the Philsports Complex in Pasig City.
Next year, the Batang Pinoy will have regional games in Luzon (June to July), Visayas (July), Mindanao (July to Aug. 3), and the National Finals in August.
The PNG will also be held in August.
Bachmann also said ages 16 and 17 can now compete under Batang Pinoy, though specific sub-groupings of age are on a per sport basis.
A total of 20 sports will be played that include archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball 3×3, boxing, chess, cycling, dancesport, esports, gymnastics, karatedo, lawn tennis, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, beach volleyball, weightlifting and wushu.
Meanwhile, the PSC also introduced its new Executive Director in Paolo Francisco Tatad as “part of going to the next level and serve athletes better.”
Tatad, who officially started last Aug. 1, said they have been revisiting policies for further implementation.
Bachmann also reported the agency’s directions in beefing their programs in the following programs such as Women in Sports, Indigenous Peoples Games, Corporate Social Responsibility in Sports, Para Sports, Laro’t Saya sa Parke, Batang Pinoy, PNG, Philippine Sports Institute, Philippine Sports Training Center and Regional Training Centers.
