KORONADAL CITY -- The city government has stepped up its preparations for the hosting of the 2019 Little League Philippines series national finals in May.
Tony Aguilar, city sports coordinator, said Wednesday they are currently working on the arrangements for the playing venues and accommodations for around 500 athletes, coaches and chaperones from different parts of the country that will participate in the event.
He said at least 37 teams, which qualified in the three regional series in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will compete in the national finals, to be hosted by the city for the first time.
Officials of Little League Philippines visited the city last week to facilitate the preparations for the event, which is slated on May 19 to 26.
They were led by district administrator, lawyer Jolly Gomez, and assistant district administrator Chito Gonzales, who graced the Mindanao regional series held in Tupi, South Cotabato from April 7 to 14.
Lawyer Remegio Rojas, head of the South Cotabato Little League Baseball Association, said in a statement the games will be held in three playing venues in the city.
He said these are the South Cotabato Sports Complex, Notre Dame of Marbel University and the Koronadal National Comprehensive High School.
Rojas is hoping that the area's hosting of the national finals will further drum up support and interest from local stakeholders, especially prospective athletes, for baseball and softball.
He urged children and teenagers aged five to 16 years-old to try out for the sport and take part in the activities of the Little League Philippines.
"Our goal is to help our youth in the grass roots to go into baseball and softball and gain opportunities like trainings and possible scholarships," he said. (PNA)
