Young athletes learn in London

ARMED with high hopes of making it big in the international level, a group of young Filipino athletes attended a two-week Summer School Sports Scholarship at St. Bede’s that coincided with the London Olympics last month.

The group was made up of badminton’s Joed Reyes and Geva de Vera, Mary Diesto and Gary Santiago from athletics, boxer Miguel Jalnaiz, judo’s Floyd Rillera, Irene Bermejo from taekwondo, weightlifter Kyle Macrohon, triathlete Gabriel Allen Santiago, swimmer Ariana Herranz and archer Bianca Gotuaco.

The athletes, who were discovered during last year’s Batang Pinoy, are being groomed to represent the country in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics  or in the Youth Olympic Games in China in 2014.

Supporting the delegation were the Philippine Sports Commission, the MVP Sports Foundation, Sandugo sandals, sportsman-businessman Mike Advani, and provincial LGUs which trained the athletes.

“It was a combination of sports and education for our young athletes,” said delegation head Albert Almendralejo. “It was a truly learning experience for them that enhanced their continuing commitment to sports.”

The British Council may also form another set of new student-athletes for next summer, added Almendralejo.  Cedelf P. Tupas