OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental— Four thousand athletes, coaches, technical officials and delegation officials, representing 70 cities and provinces all over Mindanao gathered here for the much-awaited Batang Pinoy Mindanao qualifying leg.
The Mindanao leg was originally set June 10-15, 2017 but was moved because of the Marawi siege and the declaration of martial law.
The athletes are coming from the out-of-of-school youth, in-school youth, in-school students and Filipino-foreign youth aged 15 years and below. At the opening program held at the Misamis Occidental Provincial Athletics Complex (MOPAC), sports and local government officials gave inspiring messages to the athletes.
The message of keynote speaker Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez was delivered by PSC Commissioner Celia Kiram, who is also the Oversight Commissioner for the Batang Pinoy.
Messages were also given by Misamis Occidental Gov. Herminia Ramiro and Oroquieta City Mayor Jason Almonte, who willingly accepted the challenge of hosting the Batang Pinoy slated March 6 to 12. Also present were PSC Commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Charles Raymond Maxey and Arnold Agustin.
The medalists in each sports discipline will advance to the Batang Pinoy National Finals and compete against the top medalists from the Luzon and Visayas qualifying legs.
The competition venues are MOPAC for the athletics, table tennis and swimming; Aloran Central ES for archery; arnis at San Vicente Bajo covered court; badminton at Provincial Cultural Center; baseball at Looc Plaridel; basketball for boys at Villaflor covered court; basketball for girls at Oroquieta City gym; boxing at Capitol basketball court; chess at New Function Hall of Capitol Building; dancesport at FCFTC, Capitol compound; karatedo at Plenary Hall Neg. Or. Convention Center; tennis at OCCES/DPWH; Pencak Silatat Pines Ismael Bolando Gym; sepak takraw at Don Mariano Marcos Gym, Panaon; softball at Looc Plaridel Oval; taekwondo at Aloran gym; volleyball at Ramiro Multi-Purpose Gym, Sinnaclaban; and beach volleyball at Brgy. Poblacion Reclamation Area. (Lito delos Reyes/PNA)
