Three years frozen by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Batang Pinoy Games of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) will resume its hunt for the next generation of Filipino sports heroes.
PSC Commissioner and Officer in Charge Olivia “Bong’’ Coo said the Batang Pinoy reboot on Dec. 4 to 10 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, would again jump-start the country’s discovery engine for promising athletes.
“Preparations for the Batang Pinoy are now ongoing. It will finally push through after the Games got shelved for a long time due to the pandemic,’’ Coo told the Inquirer.
In the last edition of the athletic talent-search, Baguio City successfully defended its overall title in the national finals in 2019 Puerto Princesa City.
Also known as the Philippine Youth Games, the PSC-organized Batang Pinoy once became the launchpad and playground of several active elite athletes, Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz of weightlifting and world champion gymnast Carlos Yulo, among them.
“We have started the coordination with the different LGUs (local government units) and have done ocular inspections at the venues in Vigan,’’ said Coo.
Unlike the Palarong Pambansa where the participants are confined to student-athletes in the elementary and high school levels, the Batang Pinoy allows the participation of out-of-school youth in the Games.
“We are raring to watch these young athletes compete and discover those who possess the potential to make the country proud someday,’’ said Coo. INQ