ASIDE from combatives, several sports competitions are being eyed by Baguio Olympics in the Summer Capital in its bid to develop grassroots sports development and promote the city as a Sports Tourism Capital of the Philippines.
Coach Cricket Villareal of the Baguio Olympics, a private-led government supported sports festival, said with the city’s thrust of giving importance to the athletes of the city and nation, the group will conduct different amateur sports competitions in different disciplines for the city.
“We aim for all competitions for this program to be registered with the National Sports Association for proper turnover of results and recording in sports records,” Villareal said.
Villareal added Baguio Olympics is open to all athletes from wherever they may hail from saying they will not limit the athletes based on schools, districts or any recognized roster.
“Athletes who are willing to showcase their talent will have an avenue, whether they are in education or not. Through Baguio Olympics, our local athletes may now engage in competitive tournaments recognized by the national sports associations. This will also help our local City Sports Development Office provide a roster of athletes that have undergone proper tournament eliminations to gain proper access in joining Philippine National Games and other international competitions,” he added.
Sports events on tap this year include boxing, kickboxing, mix martial arts, judo, arnis, golf, 3x3 basketball, volleyball, 10 miler run and bike and trail duathlon.
Kicking off Baguio Olympics busy 2020 schedule is the Muay Thai competition on Saturday, February 29 at the Baguio Athletic Bowl until March 1.
Villareal said the event is supervised by the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines in partnership with the City Government of Baguio and Tribal Submission Philippines Team Torogi Gym.
Coach Brent Velasco added they are expecting all Muay Thai practitioners from the Cordillera region and nearby Regions 1 and 2 to join the three day competition.
Trophies and medals will be at stake in the different age group categories.
“We have 11 to 12, 13 to 14, 15 to 16, 16 to 17, 18 and above, and seniors division, and in every age group there are seven to eight weight categories,” added Villareal.
The tournament is also expected to draw participants who will compete in the upcoming Cordillera Administrative Region Athletic Association.