Olympic silver medalist Carlo Paalam (Photo from Paalam FB page)
MANILA – Tokyo Olympics silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio will attend the opening ceremony of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) - Batang Pinoy National Championships scheduled at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur on December 17-21.
The two boxers, both products of the PSC's grassroots program, will be joined by Filipino-Japanese Kiyomi Watanabe of judo, and SEA Games gold medalists Chloe Isleta of swimming and Mary Allin Aldeguer of arnis.
Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias "Jerry" Singson, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino, and officials of various national sports associations are also expected to attend the opening ceremony.
“The Batang Pinoy program has already produced numerous champions in various sports since it started in 1999. I am sure that the stories of our bemedaled athletes will inspire our young athletes who will be competing in Ilocos Sur, to reach the height they have achieved,” PSC Chairman Jose Emmanuel “Noli” Eala said on Thursday.
About 6,000 participants from more than 140 local government units (LGUs) are set to compete in nine face-to-face sports – archery, athletics, badminton, chess, cycling, table tennis, swimming, weightlifting, and obstacle course (demonstration).
Competitions in archery (San Ildefonso Central School), badminton (Ilocos Sur Badminton Center), chess (Baluarte Function Hall), swimming (Quirino Stadium), and table tennis (San Vicente Gymnasium) will start on opening day, while arnis, dancesport, judo, karate, muay, pencak silat, taekwondo, and wushu competitions will be held online via the PSC Facebook and YouTube platforms.
This year’s edition of the Batang Pinoy is supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), Department of the Interior and Local Government Unit (DILG), Department of Education (DepEd), MILO Philippines, Pocari Sweat Otsuka Solar Philippines, Universal Robina Corp., Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Globe Telecom, and Beautéderm. (PNA)
