Baguio not letting go of Batang Pinoy overall title

BAGUIO CITY—The reigning Batang Pinoy national champion is not about to yield its crown on its turf.

This city will host the finals of the sportsfest for athletes 15 years and younger on Sept. 15 to 21 after Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Benguet Gov. Crescencio Pacalso sealed the deal with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Baguio, a force in combat sports and athletics, ruled the previous national championships held in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, in 2016.

“Hopefully we can sustain the momentum and excel in different events as well,” said Domogan during the recent MOA signing here.

Over 7,000 delegates composed of athletes, technical officials, coaches and local government officials from Visayas, Mindanao, Bicol region and Southern Luzon will see action in 28 sports—22 of which will be hosted by Baguio and six by Benguet province.

The education department will suspend classes during the weeklong Games to help ease traffic congestion.

“The Batang Pinoy was not only designed to discover future national athletes, it was also conceptualized to solve problems in health and drugs,” said PSC commissioner Celia Kiram, who signed the agreement with Philippine Sports Institute director Marc Edward Velasco.