Around 5,000 athletes coming from two hundred schools in Central Visayas converge at the Cebu City Sports Center today for the official kickoff of the 13th Milo Little Olympics.

Aside from teams from Cebu, athletes from Maasin, Leyte, Bohol, Roxas City, Capiz, and Dumaguete are also expected to compete in two-weekend event.

According to Cebu City Sports Center administrator and Milo organizer Ricky Ballesteros, they are expecting a huge delegation from Dumaguete, which is Cebu’s archrival in the swimming event.

The University of the Visayas (UV) will be looking to retain its elementary division title while the University of Cebu (UC) look to do the same in the high school side.

OVERWHELMED

In a press launching yesterday at the SCOOP forum at the Baseline Restaurant, Milo sports executive Pat Goc-Ong expressed his gratitude for the great response the event has gotten from teams from Central Visayas.

“I’m really overwhelmed with the efforts. The number of participants is getting bigger and bigger,” he said.

Because of this, he said Nestle will continue in its long term commitment in the character building of every Filipino kid through sports.

He also believes that with this commitment, the Visayas region could possibly produce top athletes.

Nestle Philippines Chairman and CEO Nandu Nandikishore will be gracing todays event to deliver a message along with Department of Education (DeEd) Region 7 Regional Director Recaredo Borgonia.

A Milo Olympics product, Jacob Lagman of Sacred Heart School-Jesuits (SHS-J), will lead the Oath of Sportsmanship while National Football Team 16-under member Ivan James Mendoza will light the Urn of Peace and Unity.

The traditional selection of muses will be one of the highlights of the opening as well the cheerdance competition.

Hon. Gerry Carillo will declare the sporting event open.