DavNor, Tagum to host Batang Pinoy Games on Nov. 27-Dec. 2

DAVAO del Norte and Tagum City will host the Batang Pinoy 2016 National Championships slated November 27 to December 2.

Ronnel Abrenica, executive assistant of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William "Butch" Ramirez, bared this to SunStar Davao Friday following an executive meeting with the Provincial Government officials of Davao del Norte and City Government officials of Tagum City.

"Davao del Norte accepted the hosting, primary host siya, secondary host ang Tagum City," Abrenica said, adding that they also discussed security plans but did not divulge any detail.

In a Batang Pinoy advisory from Chairman Ramirez, posted on PSC's Facebook page, said the national sports agency will subsidize P3,000 per athlete for a maximum of 75 athletes per local government unit (LGU) in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The grant of sponsorship, however, shall be on a first-come, first-served basis with each participating LGU has to sumbit its LGU entry form A duly signed by the governor, mayor or administrator to avail of the subsidy, which will be released to the athletes during the Games.

Events entered are archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, 3-on-3 basketball, boxing, chess, cycling, dancesport, judo, karatedo, lawn tennis, pencak silat, rugby football, sepak takraw, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, and wushu.

The Games, according to the Batang Pinoy website, is an open sportsfest for children 17 years old and below, thus, an athlete must be born in 1999 and onwards.

Unlike in past editions, this year's games will only cater to LGU representation, thus, unattached athletes will not be eligible to join.

"Batang Pinoy is also open to all Filipinos whether by birth or naturalized. Foreign Pinoy may also join provided he or she represents a particular LGU," the website said.