Milo Little Olympics opens in Pangasinan

LINGAYEN -- The 14th Milo Little Olympics, the biggest sporting event in Northern Luzon, formally opened on Friday afternoon despite the rain.

Pat Goc Ong, Nestle Philippines Assistant Vice President and Milo senior sports executive, said Governor Amado Espino Jr. asked that the program be cut short for the sake of the athletes from the different schools that participated in the parade.

Espino welcomed the athletes to Pangasinan. He also announced that the province will be hosting the Milo Little Olympics National Finals on November.

Games on the 14th Milo Little Olympics will be held on Saturday and Sunday.

Ong said they are hoping and praying rains would stop. However, contingencies are in place in case it would still be raining until Sunday. However, only the outdoor games like football, athletics, and lawn tennis will be affected.

"Kung hindi talaga hihinto ang ulan, we will postpone some of the games next week. We are praying for the best weather as sit will be very expensive for the schools to come back the following week for the other events," he said.

The other sporting events are badminton, chess, gymnastics, sepak takraw, scrabble, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, and volleyball.

Since its launch more than a decade ago, the event has always been held at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center here. Some of the games will be held at the CSI Stadia in Dagupan City and at other nearby sports venues.

The participating young athletes come from public and private schools in Regions I, II, III and the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR).

In the past, competitions are held on two succeeding weekends, with the recognition for the Most Outstanding Athletes in the different events held on a separate date and usually at a hotel.

Organizers also introduced this year a special event called the search for Miss Milo Little Olympics.

"The contest is for grade school and high school girls. We want these kids to be exposed to develop their self-confidence, improve their personality and become sociable. Compared to other contests, the contestants wear light make-up, are in sports attire, bawal ang wig at false eyelashes. They are judged according to beauty, their physical appearance and how they present themselves," he stated.

The other special contests during the opening ceremony were Biggest Delegation, Best in Saludo, Most Disciplined Delegation, Loudest Cheer, and Cheer Dance Competition. (LCMY/Sunnex)