The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) sent a technical working group from the Batang Pinoy secretariat to Vigan City, Ilocos Sur last week to conduct a coordination meeting and ocular inspection of the venues for the tournament slated for December 4-10.
Led by Jonjon Fortaleza, the group’s visit on August 25-26 included a courtesy call on Governor Jeremias Singson.
The 2022 Batang Pinoy National Finals will be Vigan City’s second hosting of a multi-sport competition after the Department of Education-organized Palarong Pambansa in 2018.
Postponed for two years due to the pandemic, the 2022 Batang Pinoy National Finals features 17 sports.
Archery, athletics, badminton, chess, cycling, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting, and the obstacle course race (demonstration) will be played face-to-face while arnis, dancesport, judo, karate, muay, pencak silat, taekwondo, and wushu will be conducted virtually.
To qualify, athletes must be 15 years old and below (born on or after 2007); represent one local government unit (LGU) city and one sport; and fully vaccinated (12 years to 15 years old, first and second dosage plus booster; 11 years old and below, first and second dosage).
The PSC clarified that affiliation with national sports associations (NSA) is not required for the participating athletes.
However, the technical management of the tournament is handled by the NSAs under the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Registration is ongoing and for more information regarding the tournament, participants may contact cluster coordinators Ronald Tuico (North Luzon – 0969-497-6271), Vangeline Velasco (South Luzon – 0956-162-9741), Gabrielle Quintos (Visayas – 0920-828-5717), Hannah Rosales (Mindanao – 0927-815-1817), and Josef Mendoza (NCR – 0969-285-2531).
Also known as the Philippine Youth Games, the Batang Pinoy is the brainchild of Monico Puentevella, who served as PSC commissioner from 1996 to 2001. He is currently president of the Samahang Weightlifting sa Pilipinas.
Among the products of the tournament are weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz (2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist) and Vanessa Sarno (2022 Vietnam SEA Games champion).
The last Batang Pinoy national championships was held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. (PNA)
