CEBU, Philippines – Before defending their title, three of the country's brightest prospects in sepak-takraw - Rhey Jey Ortouste, Lord Kevin Largado and George Jam Buhayan - will light the urn of peace and unity for the 15th Milo Little Olympics-Visayas at the Cebu City Sports Center this afternoon.
Ortouste, Largado and Buhayan from Abellana National School were part of the country's representatives in the last Asean Youth Sepak Takraw Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The three also helped ANS win in the MLO last year.
Organizers selected the three sepak takraw players to inspire the thousands of other young players to play their best in the two-weekend multi-sporting event.
Nestle Philippines has poured in millions of pesos for this event not only as a mere marketing strategy, but as their commitment to help Philippine sports search for new talents.
It is the organizers hope that the 15th edition of the MLO Visayas Championships will produce more top athletes for international competitions.
More new faces in athletics, badminton, chess, football, gymnastics, tennis, scrabble, sepak takraw, sipa, swimming, table tennis and taekwondo are expected to surface especially that most of last year's top athletes have already graduated from high school.
A total of 207 schools, 108 of which belonging to the elementary division, will battle for the overall title.
Aside from vying for the gold, athletes will also out to get slots for the National Championships set in Cagayan de Oro this October.
Newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richie Garcia was been invited to attend the opening ceremonies.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, DepED-VII regional director Recardo
Borgonia, Milo Sports Executive Pat Goc-Ong are also set to grace the opening ceremonies.
Spicing up today's kick off will be the selection of the Miss Little Olympics. A total of 70 muses are vying for the title.
There is also the cheerdance contest featuring five secondary teams and seven elementary entries.
Participating schools will also be vying for four other special awards today including the biggest delegation, best in saludo, most disciplined and loudest cheer contest.
Games proper begins tomorrow yet mainly at the CCSC. (THE FREEMAN)