Leyte to host Batang Pinoy 2012

TACLOBAN CITY – The province of Leyte is set to host again a national sporting event, the “Batang Pinoy Visayas Leg” is set to be held on November 21 to 24 at the Leyte Sports Development Center(LSDC) here. To be played is the Philippine Youth Games–Batang Pinoy, mandated by Executive Order No. 44, which envisions to address the needs for a grassroots sports program centered on values formation inherent in the practice of sports and fair play. Moreover, this program is designed to instill the benefits of physical fitness and core values that would help in addressing juvenile delinquency. Governor Jericho “Icot” Petilla said the provincial government is proud to play host again a big sporting event. Leyte played host to the Palarong Pambansa in 2009, with the LSDC as the central venue of the various sporting events. Those who can play in the Batang Pilipino Games are Filipino children (whether naturalized or Filipino-born) must be 15 years old and below (born in 1997 or after). “Foreign Pinoys” may also join provided he/she represents a particular local government unit hence, LGU representation of an athlete shall also be decided based on parents’ voting residency. Representation in this event is strictly by LGU which could be in the form of provincial, city or municipality representation; and no athlete shall be accepted without accreditation of a particular LGU. The Batang Pinoy Visayas qualifying leg will gather together young athletes from Regions 6,7 and 8. Qualifying tournaments in this leg include: arnis, archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, and karatedo. First and second placers in the Visayas leg are automatically qualified to join Batang Pinoy National Championships which will be hosted by IloIlo City on December 5 to 8 this year. Lucresio Calo, Leyte Sports Academy sports consultant, said they had just talked with representatives from the Philippine Sports Commission for the preparation of the sports event but it would not be as big as the Palarong Pambansa as only more than 1,000 athletes and coaches are expected to attend in said sporting event. He added Leyte’s hosting of the Palarong Pambansa in 2009 also helped for the Batang Pinoy committee to choose the province for this annual event as they saw that Leyte is capable of hosting big sports events.