THE city government of Bacolod is eyeing to host the Philippine Youth Games or Batang Pinoy in July 2024.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Commissioner Matthew “Fritz” Gaston, a native of Silay City, Negros Occidental, paid a courtesy call to the city officials at the Bacolod City Government Center (BCGC) Tuesday, June 6.
Gaston, a former commissioner of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) and a former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player, said he’s now visiting various cities and provinces to talk with the sport councils on how to improve the sports program at the grassroots level.
He said he already discussed with Bacolod City Acting Mayor Jude Thaddeus Sayson for the possible hosting of Batang Pinoy in 2024.
“We discussed the possible sports that will be held here and it’s our target in the summer next year,” he added.
Gaston noted that he already discussed the requirements to hold the Batang Pinoy in Bacolod City.
He said Bacolod City as well as Negros Occidental have the capacity to host the national games.
He said it’s also important that the local government units will allocate a budget for the sports development program to encourage the youth to actively join the sports.
Gaston vowed that he would support Bacolod City and Negros Occidental in promoting sports in the province.
City Administrator Atty. Pacifico Maghari III said they will present to Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez the plan to host the Batang Pinoy in 2024.
He said this will be a 10-day event and it’s also an opportunity for the city to showcase the city’s culture, foods, and tourist spots.
“We are only waiting for the guidelines on the expectations of the host city and we will evaluate if we can be able to meet the expectation of the PSC. If it’s agreeable, the city will send its letter of intent,” he added.
Maghari disclosed that the city has a capacity to host a national event with the assistance of other local government units to use their facilities.*