Batang Pinoy Luzon leg begins today

IBA, Zambales—The Luzon qualifying leg of the 2013 Batang Pinoy Games fires off today with over 3,000 athletes from 27 sports aspiring to earn slots in the national pool.

It will be the last regional qualifier of the games for athletes 15 years and younger before next month’s national finals in Bacolod.

The huge turnout almost doubled the number of participants in the last two legs in Maasin, Leyte, (1,700 athletes) and Tagum City (1,600) despite the calamity that hit Zambales recently.

“I think it’s a sign that despite of what happened in Zambales, many are still raring to participate,” said commissioner Jolly Gomez of the Philippine Sports Commission during yesterday’s opening ceremony at the sprawling Zambales Sports Complex.

Landslides and floods caused by a recent storm destroyed agricultural produce and infrastructure and paralyzed several towns in the province.

Pangasinan is fielding 242 athletes followed by host Iba (227) and Laguna (181) in the weeklong games organized by the PSC. The medalists advance to the national finals.

“Instead of having a grand opening ceremony, the officials just decided to divert the funds for relief operations,” said Gomez.

Also attending the opening rites were Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane, Iba Mayor Rundy Ebdane and Romeo Magat, representing the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Gomez said apart from the regular Olympic disciplines, rugby, dancesport and cheerleading will also be featured in the Luzon leg.