For the first time ever, Dumaguete City, the capital of the province of Negros Oriental, is hosting the The Philippine Youth Games — Batang Pinoy, or simply known as Batang Pinoy, with some 18 events scheduled in the next six days.
Batang Pinoy 2017 reeled off Friday afternoon with a parade around the streets of Dumaguete City with about 3,000 athletes, coaches and tournament officials from 50 provinces, cities and municipalities in the Visayas Region in attendance from Nov. 10 to 16.
Youth aging 15 years old and below will be taking part in the different events over the next six days at different playing venues, such as the Lamberto Macias Sports Center, the Aqua Center, the convention center, Rizal Boulevard and Foundation University, among others.
Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Celia Kiram will declare the games open following the parade late Friday afternoon at the sports complex in Dumaguete.
Batang Pinoy aims to provide a venue for the young to train and excel in their chosen sports so they can compete in international events.
Senator Miguel Zubiri will be arriving on Saturday while PSC Chairman William I. Ramirez is coming on Monday for the Batang Pinoy, said City Information Officer Dems Rey Demecillo.
Events include archery, boxing, judo, swimming, triathlon, arnis, chess, karatedo, table tennis, volleyball, athletics, cycling, sepak takraw, taekwondo, badminton, dancesport, softball, tennis, weightlifting, and beach volleyball. (Judy Flores Partlow/PNA)
