“Where champions are made” 23rd Milo Little Olympics Visayas Finals get underway today

CEBU, Philippines — Close to 5,000 student-athletes from different elementary and secondary schools all over the region will once again converge in the Queen City of the South to flex their athletic muscles in the 23rd Milo Little Olympics Visayas Finals set to fire off with another grandiose rites this afternoon at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Milo Sports Executive Lester Castillo said the purpose of continuing the annual sports conclave is to help children explore not only their physical skills but also find the right attitude through sports.

“It is our mission to encourage Filipinos, especially children, to get active and join sports program as part of their developmental growth. Milo Little Olympics is our instrument in driving this commitment further as we engage thousands of student-athletes who can inspire others to embark into an active and healthy lifestyle,” said Castillo in a press conference yesterday at the Cube Wing of SM Seaside City.

“Building our commitment this year, the Milo Little Olympics will focus on the theme: “Learn life lessons, where champions are made” where we put deeper emphasis on the character performing values that students can learn through their sports journey,” he added.

The muti-sport spectacle bankrolled by Nestle Philippines, which continues to be one of the stepping stones for young athletes in their quest of representing the country in international events, will kick off with a pompous ceremony, starting off with the traditional parade of athletes at 1 p.m.

Nestlé executives led by Nestlé Philippines Vice President Wilfrido de Ocampo, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Ramon S. Fernandez and DepEd Central Visayas director Dr. Juliet A. Jeruta banner the list of distinguished guests expected to grace the program.

Highlighting the affair is the selection of Miss Milo Little Olympics for both levels as well as the colorful and lively cheerdance competition. Exciting sidelights are also on tap for the biggest school delegation, inter-school loudest cheer, inter-school marching parade and best in ‘saludo’, and most disciplined.

A total of 168 schools will compete in the elementary division, while 147 are joining in the secondary action.

For the overall standings that will be based on points and not medals, the top 10 schools in both divisions will be feted. There will also be a Most Outstanding Athlete in each sporting event.

Aside from Cebu schools and universities, athletes from Negros Occidental, Kalibo, Bacolod, Ormoc, Antique, Iloilo, Bohol and Dumaguete City will also compete in the three-day joust that will go full blast tomorrow.

All in all, 15 sporting disciplines will be contested.

Arnis, chess, gymnastics, karatedo, scrabble, table tennis and taekwondo that will take place at SM Seaside City, swimming, athletics, football and sepak takraw at CCSC, basketball and volleyball at Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in Canduman, Mandaue City, badminton at MetroSports, elementary tennis at Alta Vista Golf and Country Club, and secondary tennis at CitiGreen Tennis Resort. — with Caecent No-ot Magsumbol