A DECEMBER to remember.
That is for athletes 15 years old and below competing in the Batang Pinoy and those who will see action in the Philippine National Games after the Philippine Sports Commission released the schedule for the two sporting events.
The final leg for the PNG is scheduled December 1-5 while the Batang Pinoy will be from December 8-13 both slated in Dumaguete City.
City sports development officer Gaudencio Gonzales said the schedules were a result of the PSC National Consultative Meeting on Development Plan for Philippine Sports and Set-Up of the Philippine Sports Institute held in Pasig City from September 22-23.
“During the meeting, most of the local government unit sports representatives were lobbying for rescheduling the events because of proximity,” Gonzales said.
Gonzales explained they lobbied for the PNG to be conducted earlier in the third week of November while the schedule of Batang Pinoy will remain in December.
“Mahirap kasi masyadong magkadikit yung plano ng PSC na sa December lahat,” Gonzales said.
Although the city is ready to release the allotted funds for the two events, Gonzales explained conducting the two national sports events in a single month would be too hectic for the athletes.
Baguio City will be sending about 200 athletes for the PNG and 200 athletes for Batang Pinoy.
“Kailangan pa nating ayusin ang transportation ng mga bata kasi nagpalit ng venue from Ilagan, Isabela nailipat sa Dumaguete City,” Gonzales said.
The city has allotted P1.5 million for the PNG and another P1.5 million for the Batang Pinoy to cover the transportation of the contingents.
The city government hopes to improves its standing for the PNG championships held in Lingayen, Pangasinan last year with 45 gold, 29 silver and 20 bronze medals.
On the other hand, Baguio collected 113 medals in Batang Pinoy finals held in Cebu City last year with most of the medals coming from combative sports particularly wushu and taekwondo.