TWO University of Baguio athletes are set to test their skills against the world as they join the national junior team bound for the 6th Children of Asia International Sports Games in Yakutsk, Russia next month.
Junior chess wizard Bea Mendoza and up and coming track and field athlete Josh Buenavista will join 30 - man team of the country in the competition slated July 5-17 in Sakha Republic.
UB athletic director Ed Laureano said Mendoza is set to join the country’s four-man chess team while Buenavista just recently earned a ticket for the Russian joust late this month.
“We are proud to confirm na dalawa from UB ang magiging part ng national team for Russia. Medyo late lang ang confirmation kay Josh but surely he will be there along with the other standouts of the national pool selected by the Philippine Sports Commission.” Laureano said.
Mendoza, considered as one of the promising female chess masters in the country today, earned a berth for the national team after winning two gold medals in the Batang Pinoy national finals held in Cebu City December last year.
The same thing goes for Buenavista, son of former Milo Marathon king and national team member Eduardo Buenavista.
The younger Buenavista, who will compete in the 3,000 meter race and steeple chase, was the first Baguio athlete to earn a medal in the 2015 Batang Pinoy Luzon Leg in Malolos, Bulacan.
“We are very lucky to have them represent not only UB but the Summer Capital as a whole. This competition is only held every four years and with them joining the band of the Philippine delegation, we are optimistic that we can continue to rear and develop athletes with the same calibre in the near future,” Laureano added.
A total of 22 sports events will be staged in the sixth edition of the sports competition patterned to the Olympic Games.
The 12-day sports race will be participated by 32 other countries competing in basketball, boxing, volleyball, judo, kurash, table tennis, wrestling, powerlifting, swimming, shooting, sambo, freestyle wrestling, archery, skeet shooting, taekwondo, football, khapsagai, draughts, chess, rhythmic gymnastics, yakut jumps and athletics.
The Sakha Republic, where the city of Yakutsk is located has some of the modernized sports facilities. There are 24 stadiums, 537 gymnasiums and 28 Olympic size pools all over the regions and towns.
CAISG aims to raise awareness of Olympic movement ideas, promote sports among children and young people, and enhance international cooperation in sports domain.
Children of Asia Games envision a comprehensive sports, educational, and social event aspiring to enhance mental, physical, and social qualities of the younger generation, fostering respect for themselves and others, teaching ethical values, tolerance, and responsibility through promotion of popular sports and healthy and active lifestyle.