Around 3,000 delegates, coaches and visitors are expected to join the Visayas leg of the Batang Pinoy Games in Dumaguete City on Nov. 10 to 13.
PSC Commissioner Jolly Gomez said they are grateful that the local government of Dumaguete has accepted the challenge of hosting the Batang Pinoy games amidst the busy schedule for the city’s annual fiesta celebration in the third week of November.
Commissioner Gomez said the Batang Pinoy is open to all students and out-of-school youth aged 15 and below.
Events include archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, chess, gymnastics, judo, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, lawn tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.
Gomez said the events are carefully selected based on the games offered by the Youth Olympic Games.
The winners of the different events will represent the Visayas region during the national competition on Dec. 10-13 in Naga City, Camarines Sur.
The PSC has allocated P2 million as operating budget for the Batang Pinoy games in Dumaguete City while it has a total budget of P17 million being divided into five different regional eliminations before the national Batang Pinoy Games competition, which seek to improve the national pool of athletes.
The top performers of the National Batang Pinoy Games shall be allowed membership that will be trained for the upcoming Youth Olympic games in 2014 to be held in Nanjing, China.
Dumaguete City Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria said the city has allocated P700 thousand for the expenses of the participating athletes from Dumaguete.
He said the city government has released P500 thousand for the repair and rehabilitation of comfort rooms and classrooms that will be used as quarters for the delegates.
Mayor Sagarbarria said he is thankful that the PSC has recognized the potential of Dumaguete and Negros Oriental in hosting big events like the Regional Batang Pinoy games, which will boost the tourism potential of the province, including its economic development. (PNA/Maricar Aranas)