11th Milo Little Olympics Stiff sanctions await cheaters

Around 4,000 athletes from all over the Visayas region are expected to see action in the 11th Milo Little Olympics, which is set to unfold on September 8 at the Cebu City Sports Center.

But local organizer Ricky Ballesteros said the turn-out of participation this year is far from the record 7,000 which was set last year. "Last year, we had around 7,000 participants. It's difficult to surpass that record, but let's see," Ballesteros said.

Aside from entries coming from different localities here in Cebu, there will also be participants from Bacolod, Dumaguete, Roxas, Bohol, and Ormoc.

As they target more entries, they have decided to extend the submission of documents for all entries today. Organizers said they will be very strict with the athletes' requirement to protect their reputation being a clean and honest tournament, giving no room for cheaters.

Violators regarding falsification of documents will be banned from competing and at the same time they will be reported to the Department of Education for appropriate sanctions.

A total of 13 sporting events will be featured including athletics, badminton, chess, football, gymnastics, lawn tennis, scrabble, sepak takraw, sipa, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo and volleyball. Sipa will be played in the elementary level only as high school athletes play sepak takraw.

Majority of the events will follow the same format and scoring system as in the previous editions except for badminton, table tennis and volleyball, which will be following rally points. To be featured on the opening day are the selection of the Miss Milo Little Olympics and the cheer dance competition.

Milo Sports director Pat Goc-ong and Milo Brand manager Michelle Calo will spearhead the guests in the opening ceremonies. DepEd-VII director Carolino Mordeno, PESS chief Vivian Ginete and Cebu City councilor Jocelyn Pesquera are also expected to attend the opening. Elona Dane Tormis will light the urn of peace and unity as Sally Mae Siso leads the oath of sportsmanship. Action proper starts on September 9 in different venues with Sacred Heart School-Jesuit and the University of Cebu hoping to defend their respective titles.