Mindanao leg of Batang Pinoy more than winning medals, says PSC chair Butch Ramirez

FILE – Alfred Gumban of Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte crosses the finish line first and all alone in the boys 5,000-meter run for the first gold medal in the Batang Pinoy Mindanao regionals held at the Misamis Occidental Provincial Athletics Complex track oval in Oroquieta City.

TAGUM CITY—More than the gold medals at stake, the Mindanao leg of the 2019 Batang Pinoy Games is designed to become an instrument for peace.

Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Ramirez emphasized on Sunday the importance of sports among children of different cultures and religions to achieve lasting peace in the strife-beleaguered regions of Mindanao.

“These children are the future leaders of our country. The Batang Pinoy is not just about winning medals, it’s about our children and how they can embrace unity and peace without any biases,” said Ramirez.

Over 3,000 athletes under 15 years old from 90 local government units in the region marched during Saturday’s opening ceremony at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex here with governor Anthony Del Rosario inspiring the participants in 20 different sports to play their best.

Children athletes from as far as Cotabato, Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga will see action in the eight-day sportsfest where the medalists advance to the national championships either in Ormoc City or Tagbilaran City next year.

“The central point of these games is for children to play together regardless of religion, culture, beliefs and differences,” said Ramirez, who has been efficiently carrying out the marching order of President Duterte to make sports accessible even in far-flung areas.

“Batang Pinoy is the center of Mindanao’s sports for peace program,” added Ramirez.

Also gracing the opening ceremony are PSC commissioners Ramon Fernandez, Celia Kiram, Arnold Agustin and Charles Maxey along with PSC deputy executive director Guillermo Iroy and Philippine Sports Institute national training director Marc Edward Velasco.

A total of 18 sports, including medal-rich archery, karatedo, taekwondo and pencak silat, will kick off the competitions Monday in various venues around the city.

Davao del Norte chief on youth and sports development Giovanni Gulanes assured that the week-long sportsfest would be safe for the delegates in the aftermath of the deadly twin bombing that rocked Jolo last week.

“We will implement tight security measures not only in competition venues, but also in all choke points and billeting areas of our delegates,” said Gulanes. “Everything is under control as far as security is concerned.”